Liverpool managed to lead 4-1 over Aston Villa in the FA Cup match which took place at the Villa Park stadium, Aston, Birmingham. But it took Liverpool until the second half to take control of the home side who played academy players with no first-team experience.
Reported by AFP on Saturday (9/1), in this match Aston Villa fielded young players from their football academy. However, team manager Dean Smith was absent due to being infected with the corona virus.
It was recorded that 14 members of the Villa team, consisting of nine players and five staff, tested positive for the corona virus.
Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead by scoring four minutes after the referee blew the whistle to start the first half. He manages to complete Curtis Jones’ cross and hits the ball into Villa’s goal.
After that, the match went tough because it turned out that the young Villa squad tried to survive Liverpool’s game.
The visitors again made a golden opportunity in the ninth minute. Georginio Wijnaldum receives a mature ball from Mohamed Salah in the penalty box. But, the ball has not met the target.
Liverpool continued to pound the Villa defense. Salah threatened in the 34th minute with a kick that was pushed over by goalkeeper Akos Onodi.
In the 41st minute, Villa striker Louie Barry turns into the Liverpool goal.
The 17-year-old striker, who left Barcelona last year, completed a pass offered by Callum Rowe and Rhys Williams.
Score a 1-1 draw until the first half is over. However, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool recorded a field possession percentage of up to 83 percent in the first half.
Entering the second half, Liverpool again took the lead after Georginio Wijnaldum found the Villa net in the 60th minute.
Liverpool’s advantage increased after Mane scored another goal in the 63rd minute, with a header that was not caught by Villa goalkeeper Akos Onodi.
Mohamad Salah completed Liverpool’s victory in the match against Villa, by scoring a goal in the 65th minute.
Liverpool tried to increase the score in the remaining time. Until the final whistle sounded, the score 4-1 to win the visitors did not change. Liverpool survived with a four goal advantage until the end of the match.
Liverpool have had a long rest period before turning the victory over the Villa U-23 team into a provision of confidence ahead of entertaining Manchester United in Week 19 of the English Premier League on January 17.
In contrast, the fate of Villa’s two follow-up matches in the Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday (January 13) and Everton three days later is under threat due to an increase in Covid-19 cases in their first team squad.
