After Liverpool defeated Aston Villa 2-1 on Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp claimed that they are still “chasing like crazy” after Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
The top two teams are currently tied on points, but City maintains its advantage on goal difference and has a game in hand against Wolves on Wednesday.
Just being held 1-1 at home by Tottenham at the weekend, Liverpool couldn’t afford another setback, and they got off to the worst possible start when Douglas Luiz put Villa ahead after three minutes.
But Joel Matip immediately equalized, and Sadio Mane’s stunning header 25 minutes from time put Liverpool in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.
“We’re still pursuing like crazy,” Klopp added. “We just know we have to win; that hasn’t changed, and now we must recover from playing in the FA Cup final.” There are no exceptions.”
However, Fabinho went off with a muscular injury, making him a massive worry for the FA Cup final on Saturday and the Champions League final on May 28 against Real Madrid.
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Klopp continued, “He felt a muscle, but not too much.” “He’s quite upbeat, but to be honest, I’m not sure what to make of that.”
With one eye on Wembley, Klopp took a chance with his lineup selection, leaving Mohamed Salah and Thiago Alcantara on the bench, while Andy Robertson was left out entirely.
As Villa sprang out of the traps and caught them cold, the visitors seemed to be a much-changed side.
When Steven Gerrard’s side grabbed the lead in three minutes, Alisson Becker had already denied Ollie Watkins.
Alisson parried Luiz’s header, but only back into the path of his Brazilian international partner, who hammered the rebound into the goal.
Last season, Villa triumphed 7-2 in this match, but Liverpool came back strong this time after losing early.
The hosts did not deal with a free-kick into the area, and the ball finally broke for Virgil van Dijk to square for his center-back partner Matip to score.
In a hectic first half, chances continued to pour from both sides.
Mane’s header was inches wide, and Liverpool’s Naby Keita missed a penalty shot with the goal gaping, while Danny Ings failed to keep his header down from Lucas Digne’s enticing cross.
Header by Mane
When Fabinho walked out with a hamstring injury halfway through the first half, Liverpool’s hectic schedule started to show physically.
In the second quarter, though, Liverpool moved through the gears to demonstrate the disparity in class between the two teams.
“We have to capitalize on the key moments we generated throughout the game,” Gerrard remarked. “I’m disappointed we didn’t score twice.”
“Against one of the finest teams in the world, we were ambitious, gutsy, and fearless.”
Luis Diaz’s January arrival has been essential in keeping Klopp’s side in contention for four titles.
The Colombian set up the winner by taunting Tyrone Mings before sending a precise cross for Mane to head home his 22nd goal of the year.
Liverpool had a few nervous moments in the last quarter as Villa attempted to expose their high line.
Ings was twice denied a goal after being placed through on goal before being whistled offside when he ultimately scored.
On the other hand, Liverpool hung on and will be hoping that Gerrard can finally save them in a championship chase.
Gerrard, who never won a league championship during his illustrious playing career at Anfield, will lead Villa to the Etihad on the last day of the season to face City.
