THE MOMENT!

■ Sadio Mane scored the 35th 90th-minute winning goal by Liverpool in the Premier League, at least 10 more than any other side in the competition. the 18 goals conceded by Villa have come in the second half – and despite captain Tyr one Mings’ man-mountain of an attempt to prevent it, they collapsed again.

Trezeguet had given Aston Villa a 21st- minute lead and Mings led the defence of it until the 87th minute when Andrew Robertson (above), up there with the kitchen sink Liverpool were throwing at Villa, got in front of Anwar El Ghazi to equalise from a few yards with his header.

That was Liverpool’s 10-month unbeaten league record saved, but they couldn’t win it could they?

Sadio Mane had something to say, even t hough he hadn’t had one of his better games.

Trent Alexander- Arnold’s corner was met by Mane in the 94th minute, 60 seconds from the end, and he glanced in a sharp header and Villa were on their knees.

“I’m very pleased with the performance,” said Villa manager Dean Smith.

■ Aston Villa have lost 11 points in games in which they have gone ahead this season, more than any other Premier League side.

“Defensively, it was a good display but you have got to go 96, 97 minutes against the top teams with your concentration.

“I told the players I am proud of them and I want them to feel the hurt and take it into the next game.”

Liverpool neither played that well nor won the battle of VAR in the first half. Villa’s goal was looked at for nearly 90 seconds on replay, Trezeguet’s shot from six yards from John Mcginn’s f r ee- kick

■ Andy Robertson has scored two goals in his last six games for Liverpool in all competitions, one more than his first 88 appearances for the club before this. checked for offside and allowed to stand.

Villa fans booed as VAR went through its process, but if they’d seen the replay of Roberto Firmino’s questioned equaliser in the 28th minute they would have sighed with relief.

Mane’s pass was met by Firmino to prod in his shot. The assistant referee immediately gave offside and, after another minute’s wait, so did VAR but quite how, given the replays, is a mystery. The Premier

League’s explanation, somewhat bizarrely, was that Firmino’s armpit was offside. “His what? What’s armpit?” asked Klopp.

“It’s now not that serious because we won 2-1, but it’s not right that everyone wants to laugh. It’s serious, managers get sacked for losing games.”

There were signs towards the end of the first half Liverpool were getting their game together. And it wasn’t a false impression.

They dominated the ball, if not the game, from that point and it took Mings at his defiant best to keep Liverpool out. Yet Klopp’s men won, again.