Sadio Mane's Injury-Time Goal Steals Liverpool Win vs. Aston Villa
Liverpool defeated Aston Villa 2-1 on Saturday, with the Premier League leaders collecting three points after two goals in the closing moments at Villa Park.
The hosts took a 21st-minute lead after Trezeguet scored his first Villa goal since joining the club.
Liverpool hunted for a second-half equaliser and had to wait until three minutes from time when Andrew Robertson headed home.
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One last throw of the dice saw Sadio Mane find the back of the net deep into stoppage time for the Reds.
The Merseyside club dominated possession during their visit to the Midlands, but Villa carved open an unexpected advantage.
Mane had gone close with a header after 16 minutes, but Villa took the lead five minutes later when John McGinn's free-kick found an unmarked Trezeguet at the back post, and the Egypt international slotted past Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
OptaJoe highlighted a Villa milestone:
It was a poor goal for Jurgen Klopp's team to give away, with the visitors' defence failing to deal with a simple situation.
Liverpool believed they had equalised after 28 minutes through Roberto Firmino, but the Brazilian's effort was chalked off for offside by the video assistant referee.
The Premier League showed how close the call was and why the goal was disallowed:
Jonathan Northcroft of the Sunday Times questioned the way VAR is used:
Mane and Mohamed Salah tested the Villa back line, but the UEFA Champions League holders lacked a cutting edge in the opposition penalty box.
The Liverpool attack continued to drive forward after the interval, and Firmino should have scored after good work by Mane two minutes into the second half.
Mane forced Tom Heaton into a fine save on the hour mark when the attacker met Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross, and Klopp's men began to turn the screw on Villa.
Salah was replaced for the final 25 minutes after an unsuccessful afternoon, and Georginio Wijnaldum also made way, allowing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Divock Origi to come off the bench.
Villa had a superb chance to close out the game with a second goal after Conor Hourihane fed Wesley, but the striker could not finish with 12 minutes remaining.
Liverpool seemed tired in the final moments, but they continued to attack, and Villa's defence appeared firm.
However, with just three minutes on the clock, Robertson stole in at the back post to make it 1-1. The full-back met Mane's cross with his head and gave his side a deserved equaliser.
The goal shattered Villa's confidence in the short time remaining. Liverpool could smell a winner, and their moment came in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Alexander-Arnold's excellent corner gave Mane the chance to be the hero and steal the points at the death with a glancing header.
What's Next
Liverpool host Genk in UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday and will welcome Manchester City to Anfield on November 10 in a crucial game in the race for the Premier League title. Villa travel to local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in league play on November 10.
