Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Football Reporting
Football Reporting

Chelsea

Trent Alexander-Arnold hits injury-time stunner in front of England boss Gareth Southgate


TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD ended Liverpool’s recent Kop curse with a dramtic stoppage time winner – in front of watching England boss Gareth Southgate.

The much-criticised England defender pounced after Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez produced a breathtaking save to deny Thiago, only for the ball to land at the full-back’s feet at the edge of the penalty area.

Trent Alexander-Arnold had more reasons than most to hail his late Liverpool winner, having been dropped by England

10

Trent Alexander-Arnold had more reasons than most to hail his late Liverpool winner, having been dropped by EnglandCredit: Getty
Trent Alexander-Arnold curves his brilliant 91st-minute winner

10

Trent Alexander-Arnold curves his brilliant 91st-minute winnerCredit: Getty
There's joy and relief for boss Jurgen Klopp and matchwinner Trent Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool ended their Anfield plight

10

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
There’s joy and relief for boss Jurgen Klopp and matchwinner Trent Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool ended their Anfield plightCredit: PA

One touch with his right boot was followed by an almighty thump with the same boot and the ball flew beyond Martinez to end the Reds embarrassing six-game losing streak.

It was the perfect way for TAA to stick two fingers up to his critics who have savaged him for his recent below-par displays.

Although the Liverpool lad is too polite to include Southgate in that, despite the England boss giving him the cold shoulder for the Three Lions’ recent world cup qualifiers. 

In a day of high drama Ollie Watkins gave Villa the lead before half-time before Liverpool thought they equalised immediately, only for another VAR controversy to rule out a Roberto Firmino ‘goal,’ by a fraction.

Salah then scored for the third game on the spin to level and set Liverpool up for that fabulous late finale as Alexander-Arnold’s winner, saw them head for the dressing room in the top four, ahead of Chelsea’s evening game.

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness claimed a vengeful Reds must have been stewing ever since Villa thumped them 7-2 in October – desperate to wreak revenge.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

However, there was little evidence to back his theory up and once again Jurgen Klopp’s men were off the boil for much of the game.

Some sloppy Villa defending gifted them plenty of early chances to break the deadlock.

Striker Mo Salah heads Liverpool's equaliser after a save from Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez fell for him

10

Striker Mo Salah heads Liverpool’s equaliser after a save from Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez fell for himCredit: AFP
Mo Salah hails his 57th-minute Liverpool leveller before the dramatic climax

10

Mo Salah hails his 57th-minute Liverpool leveller before the dramatic climaxCredit: Getty

But Emiliano Martinez defied Mo Salah twice in the early skirmishes, while Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino were wasteful when presented with a string of good scoring chances.

One touch with his right boot was followed by an almighty thump with the same boot and the ball flew beyond Martinez to end the Reds embarrassing six-game losing streak.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

It was the perfect way for TAA to stick two-fingers up to his critics who have savaged him for his recent below-par displays.

Although the Liverpool lad is too polite to include Southgate in that, despite the England boss giving him the cold shoulder for the Three Lions’ recent World Cup qualifiers. 

In a day of high drama Ollie Watkins gave Villa the lead before half-time before Liverpool thought they equalised immediately, only for another VAR controversy to rule out a Roberto Firmino ‘goal,’ by a fraction.

Salah then scored for the third game on the spin to level and set Liverpool up for that fabulous late finale as Alexander-Arnold’s winner, saw them head for the dressing room in the top four, ahead of Chelsea’s evening game.

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness claimed a vengeful Reds must have been stewing ever since Villa thumped them 7-2 in October – desperate to wreak revenge.

Olie Watkins proves he is no dummy as he celebrates his Aston Villa opener

10

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Olie Watkins proves he is no dummy as he celebrates his Aston Villa openerCredit: EPA
England striker Ollie Watkins drills Aston Villa 1-0 up on 42 minutes

10

England striker Ollie Watkins drills Aston Villa 1-0 up on 42 minutesCredit: PA

However, there was little evidence to back his theory up and once again Jurgen Klopp’s men were off the boil for much of the game.

Some sloppy Villa defending gifted them plenty of early chances to break the deadlock.

But Emiliano Martinez defied Mo Salah twice in the early skirmishes, while Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino were wasteful when presented with a string of good scoring chances.

Alexander-Arnold rippled the roof of the Villa net with a free kick which Martinez got the slightest touch to, before Jota headed over from six yards.

However Dean Smith’s Villa stunned their hosts by taking the lead just before half-time.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Ozan Kabak’s clearance was pounced on by Douglas Luiz and when he fed John McGinn the Scot produced a sliderule pass to set up Ollie Watkins.

The striker, who scored a hat-trick against the Reds in that 7-2 demolition took one touch with his right boot, before scoring with his left after Alisson allowed the low shot to squirm under his outstretched glove.  

Villa's Douglas Luiz had lengthy first-half treatment but was able to continue

10

Villa’s Douglas Luiz had lengthy first-half treatment but was able to continueCredit: Reuters
Reds' frontman Mo Salah sparks danger in the Villa box but to no avail this time

10

Reds’ frontman Mo Salah sparks danger in the Villa box but to no avail this timeCredit: AFP

Liverpool appeared to be stung into action when they levelled within five minutes, during first half stoppage time – until VAR left them furious following another controversial intervention.

Matt Cash’s failure to cut out Alexander-Arnold’s sweeping crossfield ball looked a costly mistake when Jota got behind the Villa defence to set up Mo Salah.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The Egyptian striker laid a pass off to Andy Robertson whose shot was blocked by Tyrone Mings and Bobby Firmino’s scuffed shot from the rebound left Martinez helpless.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is anxious to return to the top four

10

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is anxious to return to the top fourCredit: Getty

However Liverpool’s celebrations at finally ending their 12 and a half hour home goal drought were cruelly and dramatically cut short.

VAR had spotted that Jota was a fraction offside – once it was confirmed Cash had made no slight contact.

And after two-and-half-minutes of confusion, ref Paul Tierney finally declared ‘no-goal.’ l to Jurgen Klopp’s obvious disgust.   

Liverpool came close after the break through Salah and Jota before they finally found a legal way past Martinez in Villa’s goal just before the hour.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Andy Robertson surged forward and when the Scot’s shot was pushed out one handed by Martinez, Salah sped in to beat Mings to the loose ball and knock it into the net.

It was the striker’s third goal in three games and crucially it finally ended the Kop club’s 765 goal drought at Anfield, since Sadio Mane last scored there against West Brom in December.

But Alexander-Arnold saved the best until last as his stoppage-time screamer handed Klopp his first home win in nine games.

Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds





Source link

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Liverpool

Liverpool have yet to make an announcement on the successor to Jurgen Klopp, with the Reds’ current manager calling time on his Anfield stint...

Bayern Munich

Man Utd face competition for RB Leipzig star Olmo Manchester United are monitoring Dani Olmo but may face competition from neighbours Manchester City as...

Arsenal

This season’s three-pronged Premier League title race is set for it’s next chapter on Sunday as Manchester City play host to Arsenal at the...

Arsenal

ERLING HAALAND is so close to Martin Odegaard he will prank him — win or lose — on Sunday. That’s the view of Sander...