Liverpool got its Premier League title celebrations back on track with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa after being on the receiving end of a record-equaling defeat.
Many thought Jurgen Klopp’s side was suffering from something of a hangover during 4-0 demolition at the hands of Manchester City on Thursday – the heaviest defeat by a team that has already crowned Premier League champion. However, Liverpool recovered in time in order to put relegation-threatened Aston Villa to the sword on Sunday.
It wasn’t all plain sailing at Anfield as Villa wasted some good chances to take the lead, before Sadio Mane broke the deadlock after 71 minutes. Villa, who gave the host a guard of honor before the game, had further opportunities to level the scores, but Liverpool’s Curtis Jones wrapped up the winning in the dying moments with his first goal in Premier League.
It caps off a perfect weekend for the youngster Jones, who signed a new five-year contract with his club on Saturday.
Klopp cut a forlorn figure following the defeat to Manchester City and became irritable with simple questions from a reporter after the match, although his mood will likely be much improved on Sunday evening.
Some had wondered about Liverpool’s desire to go out and win after securing its first top-flight title in 30 years. Those doubts were surely answered with a victory performance against Aston Villa.
Victory maintained the club’s perfect home record in the Premier League this season, with 17 wins from 17 games, and keeps the club on course for the record Premier League points total, too.
Man City’s “Centurions” of 2017/18 hold the current record after becoming the first Premier League team to reach the 100-point mark. If Liverpool wins all its remaining five games, it will set a new record of 104 points.
Up next for Liverpool are games again struggling Burnley and Brighton, before finishing the season against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Newcastle.