Sou right, Jack’s not Greal deal
RATINGS
physical problem all game, did not show any conviction in his passing.
Villa have scored five goals in their last nine league fixtures, hence the two-point haul from a possible 27.
And once they failed to take their half-chances here, there was always the possibility Liverpool’s class would eventually make itself known.
Sure enough, Naby Keita spotted Mane (right) slipping his marker and the Senegal striker finished via the underside of the crossbar.
For a third successive season, Mane has scored 20 goals across all competitions and, considering what else he brings to the team, that is an impressive record.
It was no surprise the Reds had looked a little more like themselves after Klopp brought on the cavalry of Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and Gini Wijnaldum. And it was no surprise a second and sealing goal arrived late on, Curtis Jones coming off the bench to record his first in the Premier League courtesy of a clever
Mohamed Salah nod-down, a rightfooted strike, and a
Tyrone
Mings deflection.
Jones (celebrating with Henderson, left) is part of a group of young players who
Klopp plans to integrate into this formidable group of champions as he strives to create an era of dominance.
And in an instantly forgettable match, it was a moment the 19-yearold Liverpool lad, who signed a new long-term deal with the club only a couple of days ago, will never forget.
THERE is often something snarky, a not-in-my-day resentment, when former players have a pop at the current generation.
With Jack Grealish perhaps it’s the sunlit highlights, the manicured perfection provoking a reaction from the old guard. Yet Graeme Souness’s love of a champagne lifestyle led to him being dubbed Charlie at Liverpool. He said before the game he felt Villa skipper Grealish was “indecisive”, snarling: “Anyone who gets tackled that much and gets that many fouls isn’t seeing the picture quick enough.”
Twice, with the game goalless and the home side toiling, Grealish went striding through the middle, into open space.
The first time, he waited and waited, before passing too slowly to El Ghazi, forced wide by the delay. Then, with teammates either side, he dallied again and his shot was blocked.
More decisiveness may have brought a priceless goal in Villa’s relegation fight. Late on, Grealish had another chance but Alisson saved.
He still lacks the killer instinct of a top player, the kind of quality Souness had.
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Not overly busy but solid and a fine late save to deny Grealish
Was not the only one to find his trademark accuracy deserting him
More comfortable than he was at the Etihad but not foot-perfect
Playing on autopilot and miscued a couple of those raking passes
Booked
Still not shaken off the celebration and nowhere near his best
A couple of crucial interventions, one of the more influential players
Grafted hard enough and came up with an important assist
Struggled to get on the ball and generally a peripheral figure
Looked likeliest to make something happen but often double-marked
Very few sights at goal and never posed any serious danger
Short of service but stepped up to the mark just when he was needed
Firmino (Origi 60) Wijnaldum (Ox-chamberlain 60) Henderson (Fabinho 60) Jones (Keita 84); Williams (Robertson 92)
Not as busy as was anticipated and had no chance with the goals
Had a great second-half sight of goal and should have done better