EPL: Firmino's 110th Goal For Liverpool Secures 1-1 Draw Against Villa

Roberto Firmino bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool with his 110th goal for the club to secure a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Unfortunately for the Reds, the point earned from the match did little to boost their chances of securing a top-four finish and Champions League football next season.

Both Newcastle and Manchester United now need only one point from their remaining two games to guarantee their spots in the prestigious competition, dimming Liverpool's hopes.

However, the hard-fought draw did benefit Villa, as it bolstered their own aspirations of making a return to European competition for the first time since 2010.

Firmino and Van Virgil

With this result, they move one point ahead of Tottenham, sitting in seventh place, and victory over Brighton in their final game would secure at least Europa Conference League football for next season.

Liverpool's quest for a Champions League spot seemed promising with their impressive seven-game winning streak. Nonetheless, this streak merely masked a lacklustre campaign for Jurgen Klopp's side, who came tantalizingly close to securing multiple trophies last season but now face the likelihood of ending the current season without a top-four finish and any silverware.

The missed penalty by Ollie Watkins was a critical turning point in the match. The Villa forward, who won the spot-kick after a challenge by Ibrahima Konate, slotted wide, further denting his penalty record, which has seen him miss five of his nine attempts throughout his career.

 

Thank you for everything, lads ❤️ pic.twitter.com/z2Vccw122E

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023

Adding to Liverpool's frustrations, two major decisions went against them. Tyrone Mings escaped a potential red card after a VAR check for a high challenge that left Cody Gakpo with visible stud marks on his chest. Additionally, Gakpo's goal was disallowed due to Virgil van Dijk's offside position during the build-up, a decision made after a lengthy VAR review.

Jurgen Klopp's absence from the touchline, serving a two-match ban for his comments about referee Paul Tierney, was palpable in Liverpool's lacklustre performance. The result not only hampers their Champions League aspirations but also raises questions about their transfer budget for the upcoming summer rebuild.

As the final whistle blew, Villa held on during over 10 minutes of stoppage time, leaving Newcastle and Manchester United with their Champions League dreams still within reach.