MANE SAVER
Super Sadio keeps Pool in title hunt
IT was a moment of sheer genius to keep Liverpool’s title push alive.
Sadio Mane scored with an incredible, improvised header to put his side back level on points with Manchester City at the top after a game of high risk.
Liverpool’s quadruple dream is still on even if City have a game in hand and a better goal difference. They’re keeping their side of the bargain by upping the pressure ahead of Pep Guardiola’s trip to Wolves tonight.
Mane said: “It was a good cross from Diaz, I was in the box and I just need to put it in the net. Even without power I usually score.
“When we won trophies I was more happier. I am just trying to enjoy every moment and try to score. It is all about the team and the boys make it easy for me.”
It was Mane’s 22nd goal of the season – his eighth in his last 10 games. And he stepped up when Liverpool needed him most in a potentially costly night as midfielder Fabinho went off even before the half hour clutching his hamstring.
Jurgen Klopp rested Scotland skipper Andy Robertson and started with Mo Salah, Jordan Henderson and Thiago on the bench ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup Final against Chelsea but they all had to come on to secure the win.
There was no easy ride from Villa boss Steven Gerrard as the Liverpool legend’s side scrapped until the bitter end.
Klopp, who gave Curtis Jones a rare start in midfield while Kostas Tsimikas deputised at left-back, might’ve been forgiven for thinking his gamble had backfired in the third minute. Ollie
Watkins saw a fierce shot well saved by keeper Alisson.
Then Lucas Digne put over a cross from the left, Tsimikas and Joel Matip collided and Douglas Luiz’s header was only parried by Alisson – but the Villa midfielder bundled home the loose ball.
Klopp looked furious. But the sign of a great team is the way they respond and the visitors came roaring back just three minutes later.
Villa were just as chaotic in their penalty box, Tyrone Mings trod on the ball, Matip and Diogo Jota got it forward, former Celtic star Virgil van Dijk had a shot saved by Emiliano Martinez – and Matip bundled home.
Kamikaze defending was sending both bosses crazy.
Gerrard was bawling out Mings who could barely put a foot right. Then Mane missed a big chance from a header and Trent Alexander-Arnold was trying everything as Liverpool piled forward.
Alisson nearly presented a chance to Watkins, Danny Ings headed over – and then things took a bad turn for the Reds.
Fabinho pulled up holding his hamstring, a hammer blow four days ahead of the FA Cup Final and less than three weeks before the Champions League Final.
Philippe Coutinho threatened to run clear but lost his footing and Tsimikas made a last-ditch tackle to stop Watkins. It was getting fraught.
But Mane seized his moment. Jota started the move with a good ball down the left, Luis Diaz fired in a cross and Mane showed lightning reflexes to divert his header into the bottom corner.
Over to you, City.