3 Things We Learned From Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Liverpool drew 2-2 at home with Aston Villa in what was only the second time they dropped points at home this season. They came back from being to goals down inside 36 minutes to leveling the game in the second half thanks to a controversial penalty, but they failed to push on and secure the three points. Here are three things that we learned from the game.

1. Defensive frailties may cost Liverpool

Liverpool looked really unsettled at the back and were all over the place in the opening half. Aly Cissokho was caught up field multiple times, and with Kolo Toure rushing in to cover for the left back, it left gaping holes in the defense for Aston Villa to exploit. Gabby Agbonlahor with his pace tore open the Liverpool defense time and again, running behind the defenders, and set up the two goals for his side.

Brendan Rodgers’ decision to field an attack minded side, sans Luca Leiva, backfired spectacularly as Liverpool were overrun in midfield. Christian Benteke exploited the lack of aerial presence in the Liverpool defense to win crucial flick-ons for Agbonlahor to race on. Lucas came on in the second half, and Liverpool looked a much better side for it, but he went off due to a knee injury, which may cause Rodgers’ some sleepless nights ahead of the crucial Merseyside derby coming up next week.

2. Aston Villa should be safe

The bottom half of the table is extremely congested with just 6 points separating Aston Villa in 11^th from the trio in the relegation zone. Villa came into this game following two consecutive defeats in the FA Cup and the Premier League, where much of their play looked labored and toothless. However, Benteke looks more like the player that set the Premier League ablaze last season in the last two games.

Villa looked a much more organized side having shifted to a back four instead of the back three that they used in their two previous defeats. They played a high line and stifled the Liverpool attackers for space. With Benteke making a nuisance of himself near the opposition penalty box, Villa looked to exploit Liverpool’s fragile back four with runners from midfield. If they manage to play to a similar level their home form is bound to improve, and they can hope for a respectable mid-table finish.

3. The race for the Champions League spot will go down to the wire

Liverpool dropped two crucial points at home, which might prove to be costly come the end of the season. Before the game, they looked like a sure bet to take all three points, but their performance in the first half left much to be desired. If they lack any consistency in their performances, which border on the outrageous a couple of weeks and then stumble the next, they could be left scratching their heads in May.

Tottenham and Everton both look to be in good form this season, and they will undoubtedly keep up the pressure by raking up the points, and with Liverpool slipping up, the initiative will be theirs to take. However, the only thing going in favor of Liverpool, despite their slip-up is that they will be playing both Tottenham and Everton at home in the second half of the season, in what should certainly be potential six-pointers.