Darwin Fails to Score on Empty Net, Liverpool Settles for Draw in Birmingham; Arsenal Faces Potential Minus Five Points
The moment when Darwin squandered a golden opportunity in the match, Photo: Reuters
If Liverpool fails to maintain their considerable lead at the top of the Premier League by the season’s conclusion, fans will vividly remember February, the match in Birmingham, and Darwin Nunez’s missed chance.
The Reds dropped two vital points after drawing 2-2 with Aston Villa. Despite having a game in hand, they remain eight points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, meaning the Gunners could reduce the deficit to five points, with plenty of time left in the season…
Nonetheless, the team from the “city of the Beatles” still controls their fate regarding the championship title.
Liverpool initially took the lead through Mohamed Salah at Villa Park, but the hosts turned the tables with goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins. When Trent Alexander-Arnold equalized at 2-2, Darwin had a clear opportunity to secure a victory…
Arne Slott opted for a slightly more robust midfield this fixture, featuring only Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota up front, which yielded a solid start for the team.
The goal came quickly, thanks to the attacking partnership. Under pressure, Andres Garcia passed to Jota, who then sent it sailing toward Emiliano Martínez’s net, allowing Salah to easily score.
However, that early goal seemed to lull the “Reds,” and Villa began to create threats, equalizing in the 38th minute with a goal from Juri Tielemans due to a mishap by Dominik Soboslai.
Unai Emery’s team completed their comeback in the third minute of stoppage time, as Ollie Watkins headed in a brilliant goal from Luka Dinj’s perfect cross.
Ibrahima Konate made a crucial save early in the second half, but Liverpool soon ramped up their intensity. Jota struck the crossbar, but Trent Alexander-Arnold equalized with a shot from 15 meters out, aided by Tyrone Mings who unintentionally diverted the ball into the net.
Liverpool had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Soboslai played a perfect pass through to Darwin Nunez, but the Uruguayan made headlines again by missing from an open goal.
In the end, both teams generated several chances, but it seemed Aston Villa was the more threatening side. Nevertheless, the match concluded in a 2-2 draw, which is a disappointing point for the leaders as they prepare for their Sunday away clash against Manchester City.
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