Last night saw Liverpool run out 4-1 victors in the third round of the FA Cup against Aston Villa, who showed a spirited display from their academy youngsters who stepped in after a number of positive tests at the first-teams Bodymoor Heath training ground.
It was a quick start on a historic night for the Reds with their strong starting XI, which saw Senegalese winger Sadio Mané head us in front after just four minutes thanks to a great cross from the right from youngster Curtis Jones – with Liverpool dominating proceedings from the off.
Liverpool started the game so dominant, with them controlling much of the ball throughout the first 15 minutes and chances not far between one another.
In all credit to Villa, they managed a few great chances during the game and managed to get a bit of a foothold in the game at times. The Reds carried to pile on the pressure during the first half but wasted plenty of chances and failed to extend their lead.
Suddenly out of nowhere, hot prospect, and young former Barcelona forward, Louie Barry got Villa off the mark with a fantastic and mature finish after a beautiful through ball from Callum Rowe which left Rhys Williams without a chance of catching Barry who slotted the ball past Reds keeper Caoimhín Kelleher.
Who was your MOTM vs Aston Villa?
Sadio Mané
Mo Salah
Xherdan Shaqiri
Thiago
Half time couldn’t have come sooner for Jurgen Klopp’s side after their strong start was virtually obliterated after Villa’s equaliser through Barry – with the midlands youngsters proving themselves massively and their young stars very much holding their own.
The second half again saw a Liverpool team that was failing to make much of their possession with their chances created still failing to make an impact and the youngsters of Aston Villa battening down the hatchets to keep hold of their 1-1 draw.
Finally, we saw Liverpool regain their lead with a great side-footed finish from Gini Wijnaldum after a cheeky little lay off on the edge of the box from Takumi Minamino and it didn’t take long to add a third.
It was as if a switch went off in the Liverpool squad and suddenly a quick succession of goals after Wijnaldum’s goal with a second for Mané and Mo Salah finally getting himself on the scoresheet after a fast 5 minutes of football that saw the score go from 1-1 to 4-1 in Liverpool’s favour.
I think it was the type of performance, eventually, that was expected from the Reds and sees them progress to the fourth round – one of the bright sparks for me was Xherdan Shaqiri who came on during the 61st minute with the Swiss forward bagging two assists in three minutes, proving that he can be a great asset for the Reds and deserves a chance at the club.
What do you think Liverpool fans, were you happy with the performance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below…