What Arne Slot acquired proper and fallacious as Liverpool salvage draw towards impressed Aston Villa

On Feb 19, 2025

Liverpool have dropped more points in the Premier League title race as they salvaged a draw away from home against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening

21:27, 19 Feb 2025Updated 21:36, 19 Feb 2025

Arne Slot’s side have dropped more points(Image: PA)

Arne Slot is feeling the heat.

With each passing week, Arsenal are getting closer and closer to the finish line as Liverpool stumble and stutter. It was a moment of individual brilliance from Trent Alexander-Arnold that decided the game – with the Reds far from the races.

And as Liverpool now look ahead to a clash with out of form Manchester City. Daily Star Sport evaluated what the Reds got wrong and right during a cold evening in the Midlands.

Lazy defending

Liverpool were far too lazy at the back(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool looked over confident on Wednesday evening, they were far too relaxed at the back and it led to some scary moments for the Reds.

Alisson’s distribution was uncharacteristically poor as a couple of times he fired the ball to the feet of Aston Villa’s attackers, leading to easy chances for Unai Emery’s side.

While Dominik Szoboszlai caused a major mishap for Villa’s second as he and Alisson got mixed-up allowing the Englishman to fire Emery’s side ahead.

Starting Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park on February 19, 2025 in Birmingham, England.

Diogo Jota struggled leading the line(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Diogo Jota’s best moments in a Liverpool shirt have come from off the bench.

And, yet, Arne Slot named in the starting side for a tricky clash with Villa – leaving Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz on the bench in the process. Jota missed a golden opportunity in the first half, prompting one fan to fume: “Imagine the outrage if Darwin missed that Jota chance…”

While an Everton fan joked: “With finishing like this, I now understand why Jota dives at every opportunity instead of attempting to score!”

Arne Slot’s feeling the pressure

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park on February 19, 2025 in Birmingham, England

Arne Slot’s were off the pace against Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool aren’t quite bottling the title, but Arne Slot is starting to feel the pressure of Arsenal breathing down his neck.

Slot’s side were so cool at the start of the season, playing with a swagger they had no right to. And now, a couple of months down the line, the Reds look nervous on the pitch – there’s a hint of fear in every pass, clearance and shot.

“Slot is definitely feeling the pressure now and is overthinking things. He’s got 3 left wingers on the bench and instead Jones is LW,” one fan fumed. While another added: “What happened to Arne Slot? It’s like the pressure got to his head!”

Sign the contract, Trent Alexander-Arnold

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park on February 19, 2025 in Birmingham, England.

Trent Alexander-Arnold had a good game(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold, going forwards, is one of the best players on the planet.

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And he again proved that on Wednesday evening as he fired Arne Slot’s side level in the second half against Aston Villa. “Trent Alexander-Arnold, I have missed you,” one fan shared.

“Trent comes off and we lose all our width on the left side,” a second fumed. And another added: “Trent showing everyone his importance in that lineup with that banger!”