Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 1 - Player ratings

Emiliano Martinez

Knowing the high standards he sets Martinez will feel he should have pushed Robertson’s shot away from Salah – but it was still a very good save. The one from Thiago was even better.

Unlucky 7

Matty Cash

Left breathing a sigh of relief after the controversial VAR call when he failed to cut out a crossfield ball heading for Jota. Battled hard but got little protection from Traore in front of him.

Isolated 6

Ezri Konsa

Another composed performance from the centre-back. Helped set up Villa’s goal by staying alert and stepping out of defence to win the ball.

Assured 7

Tyrone Mings

Lucky to avoid embarrassment for the second straight week when he failed to cut out Jota’s through ball only for Mo Salah to put the chance wide. Capable of much better.

Sloppy 6

Matt Targett

Not for the first time this season or in recent weeks the pick of Villa’s defence. Positioned himself well to cut out attacks and was one of his team’s better players on the ball in attack too.

Standout 7

John McGinn

Endured an awful start to the match when he kept struggling to control the ball. Got better and then set up Villa’s goal with a sharp pass to Watkins. Another very mixed showing.

Mixed 6

Marvelous Nakamba

Got through plenty of work in front of the back four but blotted his copybook with poor passing which regularly presented Liverpool with possession. Has played better.

Indifferent 5

Douglas Luiz

Given licence to get forward more with Nakamba also in the team. Showed some nice touches in the first half and was involved in the goal but, similar to McGinn, lacked consistency.

Sporadic 6

Bertrand Traore

Another hugely underwhelming performance from the Burkina Faso international who struggled to make any impression in attack and regularly lost possession in dangerous areas.

Poor 5

Ollie Watkins

A performance in front of Gareth Southgate which won’t have done his Euro 2020 hopes any harm. Scored his 12th of the season with his one big chance and led the line impressively. Lacked support.

Battling 7

Trezeguet

Came within a whisker of scoring his third goal in the space of seven days with a shot which cannoned back off the inside of the post. Poor in possession. Injury a concern.

Erratic 5

Substitutes

Ross Barkley 5 (for Nakamba, 66), Anwar El Ghazi 5 (for Traore, 68), Jacob Ramsey (for Trezeguet, 82) Subs not used: Engels, Elmohamady, Hause, Taylor, Davis, Heaton (gk).