Liverpool saw their hopes of Champions League qualification suffer a blip on Saturday night as they drew 2-2 at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke put the visitors 2-0 ahead with 36 minutes played before Daniel Sturridge pulled a goal back for the hosts on the stroke of half time.
The Reds then earned themselves a point on 52 minutes thanks to Steven Gerrard's penalty following Brad Guzan's foul on Luis Suarez.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at Anfield.
4.31pmHello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this evening's Premier League clash as Liverpool welcome Aston Villa to Anfield. We should have some team news through for you any minute now...
4.33pmLIVERPOOL: Mignolet; Johnson, Cissokho, Skrtel, Toure; Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho; Sturridge, Suarez
4.34pmLIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Kelly, Lucas, Moses, Allen, Aspas, Alberto
4.36pmLiverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has made just the one change to his starting XI following last weekend's 5-3 win over Stoke City as Daniel Sturridge returns to the side in place of Lucas Leiva.
4.39pmASTON VILLA: Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Bertrand; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor, Weimann; Benteke
4.40pmASTON VILLA SUBS: Steer, Sylla, Helenius, Albrighton, Luna, Gardner, Holt
4.42pmMeanwhile, Paul Lambert has gone for three changes following Monday's 2-1 defeat at home to Arsenal. Loanee Ryan Bertrand is put straight into defence, while Leandro Bacuna and Andreas Weimann are also given the nod by the Scot. Bertrand's fellow loanee Grant Holt has to settle for a place on the bench.
4.45pmUPDATE: There are currently five other matches being played in the Premier League this afternoon and we will bring you those results as soon as they are in. Plenty of goals about today.
4.48pmBack to business for now. Liverpool will be keen to pick up the three points tonight as they look to get back into the Champions League. The Reds start the day in fourth place in the table but will close the gap on third-placed Chelsea to just a point with a victory this evening. Jose Mourinho's side have the small task of playing host to Manchester United tomorrow.
4.50pmMeanwhile, Villa are in mid-table limbo. A win at Anfield could see them force a way into the top half of the standings, but a defeat will see them remain just five points clear of safety.
4.53pm
Anfield's ready for the visit of Aston Villa this evening... #LFC pic.twitter.com/xcBwnrNlSS
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 18, 20144.56pmRight, here come those full-time results from the Premier League...
Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
Crystal Palace 1-0 Stoke City
Man City 4-2 Cardiff City
Norwich 1-0 Hull City
West Ham 1-3 Newcastle
4.58pmThere was also a thrilling early kickoff in the Premier League today as Sunderland came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Southampton.
5pmThose results don't do an awful lot in terms of Liverpool's fortunes, but Hull City's defeat at Norwich City means that Villa can definitely move into the top half of the table this evening if they win.
5.03pmHEAD TO HEAD: Liverpool have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams, with 88 wins to Villa's 54. There have been an additional 39 draws since they first squared off way back in 1895.
5.06pmLiverpool earned a 1-0 victory at Villa Park when the teams met in August thanks to a Daniel Sturridge goal, but Villa should take some heart from their 3-1 win here at Anfield in this fixture last season. Paul Lambert's side are usually capable of a surprise triumph on the road.
5.10pmREFEREE WATCH: The official for tonight's game at Anfield is Jon Moss.
5.14pmPREDICTION TIME: It would be hard to look further than a Liverpool win tonight considering that Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are both starting in attack. Villa could well prove hard to break down if they weather the early storm, but we here at Sports Mole see the home side recording a 3-1 win come the final whistle.
5.17pmRECENT FORM:
LIVERPOOL: WWLLWW
VILLA: LWDLLL
5.20pmLuis Suarez has been speaking to Sky Sports News ahead of the match, singing the praises of the returning Daniel Sturridge:
"We know that Danny is a great player, and it's great that he is back. He's back and he's coming to help the team and I am happy."
5.23pmJust over five minutes to go until kickoff and the teams are just starting to emerge in the tunnel. Not long to go now.
5.27pmHere come the players out onto the pitch and into the cauldron of Anfield. As you would expect, the home fans are making plenty of noise.
1 minKICKOFF! Right, the pre-match handshakes have been done and it will be Villa to get us underway. Here we go!
1 minCHANCE! Nearly the opening goal for Villa following a lapse in the Liverpool defence! Benteke threaded the ball through for Agbonlahor, but the forward could only nudge his shot narrowly wide of goal. What a start that could have been for the visitors.
4 minIf you were thinking that Liverpool would be quick out of the traps then you'd be wrong. Villa are showing all of the attacking intent early on thanks to the pace and movement of Benteke, Agbonlahor and Weimann. The hosts are looking a touch off the pace.
6 minA bit of a worry here as Toure and Benteke both go to ground after contesting an aerial ball from a corner, but they both look to be okay.
9 minIt's still early days, but Villa's frontline have already given the Liverpool defence plenty to think about. Agbonlahor and Weimann are proving tricky customers as they feed off targetman Benteke and his brute strength. Paul Lambert is sure to be pleased with what he's seeing.
12 minLiverpool are starting to show a bit more of what they're about, though they've yet to really test this Villa defence. Suarez and Sturridge have both been quiet so far for the home side.
14 min
PHOTO: #LFC's principal owner @John_W_Henry watches the action at Anfield pic.twitter.com/943OmCYGpQ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 18, 201415 minCHANCE! Villa are looking very dangerous indeed. The ball finds its way to Westwood on the edge of the Liverpool box, but he can only shoot straight at Mignolet with a fierce effort. Meanwhile, Ciaran Clark goes into the book for hauling down Sturridge.
18 minThe problem for Liverpool is that they're leaving themselves very open and allowing Villa to exploit the space. Brendan Rodgers has set his team out in a very attacking manner, though the players aren't clicking. However, it will be interesting to see if Villa can keep this high tempo up.
21 minYELLOW CARD: Another booking for a Villa player now as Karim El Ahmadi is cautioned after taking out Cissokho. Not the cleverest challenge you'll ever see.
21 minSomething of a half-chance for Liverpool as Sturridge tries to curl an outrageous shot into the far corner, but he gets it wrong and shoots wide for a goal kick.
23 minOFF THE POST! Close again for Villa! Liverpool just aren't with it at the moment. A corner from the right is met by the head of Clark, but he can only guide the ball onto the post with Mignolet well beaten.
24 minGOAL! LIVERPOOL 0-1 VILLA (WEIMANN)
24 minIt's been coming! Villa lead thanks to a clinical goal from Andreas Weimann. Benteke fed Agbonlahor down the left, who then took on Toure before firing a low cross into the box where Weimann was waiting to tap in. Anfield is in a state of stunned silence.
27 minBacuna is a lucky boy not be in the book for a rash challenge on Suarez. The pair both jumped high for an aerial ball, but the Villa man stupidly led with his elbow. Suarez stays on the ground, though he looks to be okay.
30 minTo say that there is a lack of atmosphere inside Anfield at the moment would be an understatement. The home fans continue to be bemused by just what they are seeing. Liverpool are still struggling to cause Villa any real problems, while the visitors still look dangerous.
33 minIt's quite amazing how much space the Villa players are being afforded by Liverpool's flimsy midfield. The hosts are not doing too good a job of tracking Benteke, Weimann and Agbonlahor as the trio look to use the width of the pitch.
36 minGOAL! LIVERPOOL 0-2 VILLA (BENTEKE)
36 minSimon Mignolet, what are you doing?! Villa now lead 2-0 as Christian Benteke takes advantage of some dreadful goalkeeping from the Belgian. Agbonlahor found some space down the right before crossing into the box. It looks an easy one for the shotstopper but he completely misses it, allowing Benteke to head into an empty net.
40 minVilla will be chuffed to bits with how this match has gone so far, but they will also be aware that Liverpool remain a threat so long as Suarez and Sturridge are up front. Still, the duo haven't really done anything as of yet.
41 minWHOOSH! Oh dear, Cissokho. The left-back received the ball on the angle and decided to go for goal instead of squaring for Suarez or Sturridge. His effort blazed high over the crossbar. Cue angry groans from the Anfield faithful.
45 minThere will be three minutes of added time. Can Liverpool pull a goal back before the break?
45+2 minGOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-2 VILLA (STURRIDGE)
45+2 minYes they can pull one back! Sturridge, Suarez and Henderson all linked up around the edge of the box before the ball was played through for Sturridge. He then had the composure to dink it over Guzan to give Liverpool a lifeline.
45+3 minHALF TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-2 VILLA
6.21pmReferee Jon Moss blows the half-time whistle and it's Aston Villa who have a 2-1 lead over Liverpool. Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke put the visitors in a commanding position before Sturridge's goal at the death cut the deficit. What a second half it should be.
6.24pmNeedless to say, Liverpool were well below par during that opening 45 minutes. Meanwhile, Villa have been clinical, particularly in attack. Benteke, Weimann and Agbonlahor looked lethal.
6.27pmBrendan Rodgers has sent Lucas to warm-up during the half-time interval. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Brazilian introduced after the break. Liverpool have certainly been missing a combative presence in midfield.
6.30pm
#LFC 1-2 #AVFC - MATCH PIC: @C_Clark_6 gets the better of @luis16suarez. #AVFCLIVE pic.twitter.com/UxdRRAq5GX
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 18, 20146.33pmIt's hard to imagine that Paul Lambert will want to change things for now. The Scot is likely to see how Liverpool shape up at the start of the second half before tinkering with his own side.
6.35pmSUBSTITUTION: As expected, Liverpool have made a change with Lucas replacing Philippe Coutinho.
46 minSECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out and it will be Liverpool to kick us off again.
48 minLiverpool have come flying out of the traps as they look to get back on level terms. Lucas already looks to have given them some stability in midfield.
48 minYELLOW CARD: Villa debutant goes into the book for chopping down Sterling.
49 minSUBSTITUTION: Villa make a change as Gabriel Agbonlahor is replaced by Grant Holt. Agbonlahor took a knock in the first half when he fell over the advertising hoardings behind the goal and has failed to shake it off. Enter the big man.
51 minPENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
52 minGOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-2 VILLA (GERRARD)
52 minSteven Gerrard sends Brad Guzan the wrong way from the penalty spot to get Liverpool level but it was a fairly controversial decision by Jon Moss to give it in the first place. Suarez went down under the challenge of Guzan, though there looked to be minimal contact. However, they hosts don't care one bit as they get back on terms.
55 min
12 - Steven Gerrard has netted 12 times against Aston Villa in the Premier League, more than he has managed against any other team. Update.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 201458 minCredit to Villa, they haven't let their heads drop following Liverpool's equaliser. The visitors are still eager to push forward and try to attack this suspect Liverpool defence.
60 min
PHOTO: Calmness personified in front of the Kop pic.twitter.com/30nMQqXomU
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 18, 201460 minCHANCE! So close for Villa! Delph shows great composure on the edge of the box to get the ball out from under his feet before curling it inches wide of the far post. That could easily have snuck into the bottom corner.
62 minSUBSTITUTION: Another change for Villa here as Karim El Ahmadi is withdrawn in place of Yacouba Sylla.
63 minCHANCE! Now it's Liverpool's turn to almost find the net as Suarez's volley on the turn is well held by Guzan. That was classic Suarez - creating something out of nothing. However, the Villa goalkeeper was alert to the danger.
65 minSAVE! It's all happening now! Henderson tries his luck with a low effort from the edge of the box, but Guzan gets down well to push the ball away. Yet more decent goalkeeping from the American.
66 minSUBSTITUTION: Unfortunately for Liverpool it's the end of Lucas's night. The Brazilian looks to have suffered a problem in his leg and is replaced by Joe Allen.
69 minAt the moment it's Liverpool who have the momentum with them. They're starting to pin Villa back as the visitors are limited to the occasional counter-attack. Around 20 minutes of normal time left at Anfield. Are we going to see a winning goal?
71 minA bit of a half-chance for the away side as Holt heads wide from a corner. The striker wasn't expecting the ball to come through to him, hence the tame effort.
74 minCHANCE! Neat build-up play from Villa as Holt plays in Delhp with a cheeky backheel, but the midfielder's cross evades everyone in the box before being cleared by Cissokho. Holt has done okay since he came on, linking up well with his teammates while providing another muscular presence for Liverpool to deal with.
76 minCHANCE! Nearly a goal for Suarez from a long-range free kick! The Uruguayan tried his luck from all of 35 yards and only just put it wide of the post with Guzan beaten. That would have been a sensational goal had it gone in.
79 minThe Liverpool faithful are really urging their side forward as we enter the final 10 minutes of this match. The hosts are still just about on top while Villa continue to pose a threat on the counter-attack.
81 minSUBSTITUTION: Villa make a final change as Antonio Luna enters the action in place of Ryan Bertrand. The loanee full-back has been solid on his debut.
84 minThere's just a sense around Anfield that we've had all our goals for tonight. Villa are happy enough to play for a draw now, but do Liverpool have a final opportunity up their sleeve?
86 minSturridge finds some space down the right, but his cross is easily held by Guzan. Time is running out for the home side.
87 minYELLOW CARD: Aston Villa's Leandro Bacuna goes into the book for time wasting. The visitors just want the final whistle now.
90 minThere will be four minutes of added time...
90+2 minClose for Liverpool as Suarez's powerful cross is pushed away by Guzan. That could easily have hit anyone and ended up in the back of the net.
90+4 minFULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-2 ASTON VILLA
7.24pmThe full-time whistle goes and it has finished 2-2 between Liverpool and Aston Villa. The hosts found themselves 2-0 down before goals from Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard earned them a point.
7.25pmAnyway, that's all from me but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from tonight's match right here on Sports Mole. Thank you very much for your company and we hope to see you soon. Goodbye!
