Aston Villa 1 -2 Liverpool: Mane and Robertson strike for Reds to secure last-gasp win

Liverpool were heading for just their second Premier League loss of 2019 until Andy Robertson and Sadio Mane salvaged a dramatic victory.

Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson struck late on as Premier League leaders Liverpool came from behind to claim a stunning 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

Jurgen Klopp's side looked set to be heading for just their second top-flight defeat of 2019 at Villa Park, Trezeguet's 21st-minute effort having put the hosts ahead in a clash containing further VAR controversy.

Trezeguet's goal stood following a check for offside, but a review did not overturn the decision to disallow what appeared to be a valid equaliser from Roberto Firmino.

However, Liverpool's second-half dominance eventually finally paid off in a dramatic finish. Robertson headed in from point-blank range before Mane flicked home the winner in the fourth minute of added time, keeping the Reds six points clear of Manchester City at the summit.

Wesley, Bjorn Engels and Mane passed up great chances to make an early breakthrough, but Trezeguet made no mistake when he tucked home John McGinn's free-kick.

VAR eventually confirmed the goal, though the use of technology failed to benefit Firmino at the other end.

Tom Heaton made a fine stop to keep out Mane's back-post header after the break, while Adam Lallana and Mohamed Salah squandered opportunities as the pressure increased.

Virgil van Dijk made a superb block to close off Wesley's path to goal at the other end, and that intervention proved decisive.

Having been left unmarked at the back post, Robertson thumped a header beyond Heaton after connecting with Mane's cross.

There was still enough time left in the game for Mane to complete the turnaround, the forward stooping low to connect with Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner and flick a header into the far corner of the net.

 Liverpool and City both come back from the brink heading into Anfield clash

Liverpool's powers of recovery are something to behold. Even with a draw, the Reds' lead at the top would have been whittled down to four points heading into the meeting between the two title rivals at Anfield, with City having also recovered from conceding first to beat Southampton on Saturday.

But once Robertson had restored parity, Klopp's side never looked likely to let the opportunity to claim all three points slip from their grasp.

Miraculous Mane makes the difference

With Salah failing to spark and Firmino denied by VAR, the ever-willing Mane took over for Liverpool late on. His cross for Robertson's equaliser was exquisite, while his winner was an impressive display of quality and composure.

VAR inconsistencies again come to the fore

The issues with the video review system seems no closer to being resolved. After several decisions were overturned in last week's Premier League fixtures, VAR did not intervene for either Villa's goal or Firmino's disallowed effort - the Premier League subsequently confirming via Twitter that the Liverpool striker's armpit was offside.



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