Aston Villa drew Liverpool 3–3 thanks to two goals scored by Jhon Duran in the last ten minutes, bringing them one step closer to qualifying for the Champions League.
In the second minute, the Reds took advantage of an incredible mistake by Emiliano Martinez. Youri Tielemans leveled the score, but Villa appeared to be hopelessly pinned. In Jurgen Klopp’s last away game as manager, goals from Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah put the Reds up 3-1.
However, Duran scored twice in four minutes after coming off the bench, putting Villa within striking distance of their first-ever Champions League qualifying.
Assuming Tottenham loses to Manchester City on Tuesday, the tie ensures they will finish in the top four.
If Spurs come out on top, their playoff destiny will hinge on the last day of the season, when Villa face an undefeated Crystal Palace and the London club travel to Sheffield United, who have already been relegated.
Following his disapproving reaction to his team’s late collapse, Klopp will have an emotional farewell against Wolves at Anfield, marking the end of his nine-year tenure as Liverpool manager.
Tom Hanks, the Hollywood actor, was at Villa Park, and the first sixty-four seconds were straight out of a catastrophe movie for the presenters.
After Martinez made a terrible mistake with little over a minute remaining in the game, Liverpool were awarded a goal kick.
Pau Torres, the Argentine goalkeeper, carelessly spilled and awkwardly knocked over the line as he attempted to collect a harmlessly deflected cross from Harvey Elliott.
As Mohamed Salah’s deflected attempt went just wide, the visitors had a golden opportunity to capitalize on that early gift.
In response, Villa got back on their feet and equalized in the 12th minute.
Tielemans scored from 12 yards out after Ollie Watkins skinned Quansah down the left. Watkins’ pull-back found him well.
When Quansah successfully blocked shots from Watkins and Leon Bailey, the tide turned and Villa appeared to be a threat.
After Martinez saved a cross from Joe Gomez, Gakpo converted a fierce chance from close range in the 23rd minute to restore Liverpool’s advantage. The move had been a high-energy one, moving from defense to attack.
There was a three-minute offside review, but VAR’s line narrowly decided that Gomez was onside, therefore the goal stood.
Ten minutes before halftime, Diego Carlos had a chance to set up a possible miss of the season for Villa, but he miscued Bailey’s cross from close range and sent it wide.
After being set up by John McGinn, Moussa Diaby had a golden opportunity to equalize, but he blasted the ball wide of the goal.
The lead was extended early in the second half by Liverpool, who scored again.
Elliott set up Quansah for a free header at the far post, and the latter expertly placed it into the far corner.
The Jamaican international was caught offside in the buildup to his goal, but the hosts believed they had begun a comeback as Watkins converted Bailey’s cross.
After Alisson Becker’s clearance was closed down, Watkins missed the conversion attempt from close range.
Just as dangerously, Liverpool had a goal disallowed for offside before Salah converted. Luis Diaz was also offside.
In the tenth minute of the game, Villa gained a glimmer of hope when Duran scored a low shot into the corner after Elliott was taken down.
After three minutes, Villa Park went into overdrive when Diaby’s attempted through-ball sailed over Alisson after deflecting off Duran’s leg.
Late on, Diaby had a golden opportunity to seal the deal for Villa, but the Brazilian goalkeeper produced a spectacular save.
