Liverpool: Three Key Matches That Defined Their Season
3. November 2, 2019, Liverpool at Aston Villa
No one could have blamed the unbeaten Premier League leaders for looking past this match with all focus on their following opponent, title defenders Manchester City. The Reds had to travel to Birmingham to face a struggling Aston Villa club.
Liverpool had started their campaign with nine wins and a draw. At the time they pulled out to a six-point lead at the top of the table. Whispers had begun that this could be their year to lift the league trophy.
Dean Smith‘s club had something to prove and they played arguably their best match of the season. Though, they were without their top man and owner of the best haircut in England’s Top Flight, Jack Grealish due to injury.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane picked up a reckless foul leading to a beautiful set-piece kick by Villa’s John McGinn. This led to Terezeguet knocking the ball into the back of the net in the 20th minute for the early lead.
As chants about what VAR could do to themselves rained down from the Villa Park rafters, the goal was reviewed for what seemed like an hour for a possible off-sides before the goal was called good.
Aston Villa remained stout on defense withstanding relentless barrages by Liverpool’s attack for over an hour. The Red’s expected goals (xG) for this match were 2.39 from 25 shots, but only six were hit on target.
It did not look like it was going to be Liverpool’s day
Like a cat playing with a wonky laser pointer, the league leaders would not stop running. They were finally able to outlast Villa’s defensive line when Andrew Robertson headed the ball almost through the net to tie the match in 86th minute.
In literally the last minute of stoppage time, Sadio Mane got a header that I have watched 4243 times and still can not figure out how the ball ended up crossing the line for a goal, but it was incredible. More importantly, it was the game-winner.
Liverpool was not at their clinical best when it came to converting shots to goals, however, in other areas they played their best cards. The pressed relentlessly as they allowed on average 4.40 Villa passes in their end per defensive action (PPDA). The Reds had 16 long passes, which sprung their attack.
One of the most overused clichés in sports is that champions have to find ways to win when they are not at their best. The Reds were not at their best in this match but snatched victory anyways.