Roberto Firmino scored a dramatic equaliser in his final Anfield match to keep Liverpool's slim Champions League hopes alive and salvage a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
With Jurgen Klopp serving a touchline ban, Liverpool looked a far cry from a side who had won seven Premier League matches in a row and should have gone behind when Ibrahima Konate upended Ollie Watkins in the penalty area - but Watkins sent the resulting spot kick wide.
Jacob Ramsey made no such mistake when Trent Alexander-Arnold forgot to mark him in the aftermath of a set piece, however, volleying in at the far post to score in back-to-back games.
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Villa were disciplined but not without a slice of luck and Tyrone Mings could easily have been sent off when his studs went crashing into the stomach of Cody Gakpo - who was otherwise through on goal - but only a yellow card was produced.
Gakpo thought he had levelled for Liverpool in the second half, but a VAR review deemed compatriot Virgil van Dijk was offside in the build-up to the forward converting from close range.
Yet Firmino scored a goal which did count two minutes from time, acrobatically diverting Mohamed Salah's cross into the net.
With 10 added minutes a grandstand finish looked to be in store, but Villa regained their composure and held on for a valuable draw.
Villa have 58 points and are up to seventh, which would mean a Europa Conference League place. Liverpool, on 66 points, remain fifth and are three points off the top four with just one game left.

TALKING POINT - Firmino says goodbye in style

Firmino has won the lot at Liverpool, including Premier League and Champions League winners' medals, and is a firm fans' favourite. He demonstrated why with his 110th goal for the club - a classic case of right place, right time as well as an instinctive finish indicative of the ingenuity he has brought to Liverpool's attack.
It is a shame it was not a winning goal. This draw all but ends Liverpool's top-four charge as it will require Manchester United or Newcastle United to lose back-to-back games for The Reds to leapfrog them in the table. But it was still a fine way for Firmino to bow out.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa)

Ramsey took his goal well, almost added a second and was a key member of a hard-working Villa midfield which stifled Liverpool for most of the match.

Jacob Ramsey of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield

Image credit: Getty Images

PLAYER RATINGS

Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 5, Van Dijk 6, Konate 5, Robertson 6, Fabinho 6, Henderson 6, Jones 5, Diaz 5, Gakpo 6, Salah 6. Subs: Firmino 7, Tsimikas 6, Milner 6, Elliott 5.
Aston Villa: Martinez 6, Cash 6, Konsa 7, Mings 7, Digne 5, McGinn 5, Luiz 7, Kamara 6, Ramsey 7, Bailey 5, Watkins 5. Subs: Moreno 7, Young 6, Buendia 6, Dendoncker 5, Duran 5.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

PENALTY TO ASTON VILLA 20' - Villa counter, McGinn releases Watkins and although the angle is against the striker, Konate dives in and gives away a penalty! A silly tackle, but now Villa have a golden opportunity.
WATKINS MISSES PENALTY 22' - Watkins goes to his right, side-footed, but gets it horribly wrong and misses the target entirely.
RAMSEY PUTS VILLA AHEAD 27' - With Liverpool unable to clear their lines after a long throw, Luiz sends in a good cross from deep and Ramsey sneaks in behind Alexander-Arnold to give Villa the lead, volleying in at the back post.
ALISSON SAVES 39' - Villa play a clever free kick, slipping in Ramsey when Liverpool were expecting a cross, and Alisson has to spread himself wide to make a smart save.
GAKPO EQUALISER RULED OUT 55' - Gakpo applies the final touch as Liverpool bundle the ball in when Villa do not clear their lines, but after a long VAR check it is disallowed for offside.
FIRMINO SCORES ON ANFIELD FAREWELL 89' - Salah crosses with the outside of his left foot and Firmino meets it with an acrobatic finish, diverting the ball into the net with both feet off the ground.

KEY STAT

Villa manager Unai Emery has ended a run of six consecutive defeats when facing Klopp's Liverpool.
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