PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 1-1 ASTON VILLA

Liverpool were held to a draw at Anfield as Roberto Firmino signed off his Anfield career with one last crucial goal. Jacob Ramsey had given the Villans a first half lead before Bobby climbed off the bench to equalise late on. Here are player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 6

Good save from a clever Villa free kick routine. Quick off his line to sweep up a number of times.

Alexander-Arnold – 4

The whole point of this new system is to get him on the ball in central areas. A number of players are shifted around to make that possible, so on days like today when nothing is coming off, it makes the whole enterprise a bit pointless.

He was poor on the ball, lackadaisical when running back, and petulant when it wasn’t going his way. Not to mention he lost Ramsey at the backpost for their goal as well. That free kick in the 100th minute summed his afternoon up, as he launched a flat ball straight into the gloves of Martinez.

Konaté – 5.5

Looked cumbersome when racing after Watkins. Gave away a clumsy penalty after fouling the Villa striker in the box. Had an effort cleared off the line, with Gakpo tapping home the rebound but it wasn’t to be.

Van Dijk – 6

Had to come across to clear one away from the marauding Watkins after another Konaté slip. Was adjudged offside when Gakpo bundled home a goal early in the second half. What’s happened to his passing? Villa were asking for runs to be made in behind and yet the few diagonals the big man attempted were overhit.

Robertson – 5.5

Only one of the three centre backs who saw the acres of space Villa were leaving behind as they set a high line. He lobbed a few balls in behind, usually for Diaz. His set pieces were a mixed bag though.

Fabinho – 5.5

Looked sharp early on, rolling his man in midfield with a feint before advancing forward. Looked leggy as the game wore on and resorted to incessant fouling. Booked as a result and subbed not long after.

Henderson – 5

Not the type of player you want on the ball when you’re trying to break down a parked bus. Poor execution anytime a quality ball forward was required.

Jones – 5

He’s been in sizzling form of late but it was a poor day at the office today. Caught on the ball a number of times and overhit too many attempted passes forward. Didn’t exert enough of an influence on proceedings and was part of a midfield that provided little creativity first hour.

Salah – 5.5

A sublime outside of the boot pass handed Firmino the opportunity to equalise. Aside that he was incredibly frustrating. Ran down blind alleys all day and absolutely refused to use his right foot no matter what.

Gakpo – 5.5

Didn’t quite have the searing pace nor the strength to get in behind the Villa defence and hold his defender off to allow for a shot. Unlucky with the disallowed goal. Fared better in midfield with the play ahead of him and not with his back to goal. Picked up a number of loose balls and started off attacks. Fired one on target from miles out.

Diaz – 5

Overelaborate. Took too many touches and saw avenues closed down. Full of running but no end product. Another tough outing.

Substitutes

Jota – 5

Played in behind for a similar chance to the winning goal he netted against Spurs. This time however, he opted to chop back inside and lost the ball. Inexplicable decision really.

Tsimikas – 5

Constantly shoved McGinn in the back but was subtle enough to get away with it every time. Some trademark dangerous crosses.

Milner – 6

The 36 year old came on and actually gave the side an injection of urgency. He buzzed around the pitch and helped mount late pressure on the Villa goal. Overhit one cross however.

Firmino – 7

It was written in the stars wasn’t it? Bobby came off the bench on his last Anfield appearance as a Liverpool player and wrestled the side back into the game. It was a brilliant cross by Salah but Bobby’s movement beat Mings and he applied a cute finish to poke beyond Martinez. Forever a Liverpool legend!

Elliott – 5

Lost the ball with his first touch, won it back with his second. One tame effort at Martinez late on was poor. Wasn’t quick enough to capitalise on a loose ball in the box deep into stoppage time.

Jürgen Klopp

Went with the same XI but instead of a fast start, it was a flat one. His side went in 1-0 down at the break, with his view up in the stands no doubt helping him see the play from a different perspective. He made his changes early and was rewarded with a late equalising goal.

Villa held firm in the face of mounting pressure and deserved a point. The top four hopes are well and truly over now but it’s been a good run in the last few weeks. Anfield bid farewell to four legends today as the rebuilding job kicks into gear.