MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 07:06:46| >> :600:336445:336445:
Nov 2, 2019 at 3pm UK at ​Villa Park
Attendance: 41,878
Aston Villa
1-2
Liverpool
Trezeguet (21')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Robertson (87'), Mane (94')

Sadio Mane hails "perfect" Liverpool response in Aston Villa win

Sadio Mane hails
© Reuters
Mane and Robertson struck late as Liverpool won at Aston Villa.

Match-winner Sadio Mane hailed the never-say-die attitude shown by Liverpool in their thrilling late comeback at Aston Villa.

The Senegal international scored a stoppage-time header as the Reds snatched a 2-1 win to cap a stunning finale for Jurgen Klopp's men.

Andrew Robertson had nodded in an 87th-minute leveller after Trezeguet's first-half opener for Villa.

The victory maintained Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season and kept them six points clear of Manchester City at the top.

"It's always going to be tough but our reaction was perfect," said Mane. "In the first half it wasn't our best performance but, like we said, we just had to push hard as a team and give everything and try, try again.

"That's what we tried to do and at the end we created some chances and we scored two goals. For sure it wasn't our best performance but we deserved the three points.

"I'm struggling to describe how happy we are. But for sure we are very happy and we deserved to win these three points, which was really important for us."

Sadio Mane nods in the winner
Sadio Mane nods in the winner (Nick Potts/PA)

Liverpool have not lost in the top flight since a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City in January.

Saturday was the closest the Reds have come this season to surrendering their unbeaten start as Villa gave them a major scare.

Manchester City also came from behind to win 2-1 against Southampton ahead of their crucial trip to Anfield next Sunday.

Mane told the club's website: "We have big respect for Manchester City. They are a very good team but we are Liverpool and we are also a very good team. It will be a very interesting game and we are looking forward to it."

Villa were without captain Jack Grealish, who missed the game with a calf injury he suffered at Manchester City last week.

The midfielder is expected to return at Wolves next Sunday.

Boss Dean Smith added: "He will be fine for next week.

Jack Grealish sustained an injury at Manchester City
Jack Grealish sustained an injury at Manchester City (Martin Rickett/PA)

"He trained with us on Friday but woke up this morning (Saturday) and just felt he wasn't right.

"He had a little run on the pitch pre-game but I told him I wanted him to be 100 per cent because you have to be against teams like this.

"He wasn't, so he made the call and I certainly supported him on that."

body check tags ::

Click here for more stories about Sadio Mane

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Share this article now:
Instagram - Follow Sports Mole
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on October 27, 2019
Read Next:
Premier League week 11 predictions including Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City
>

Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1110102591631
2Manchester CityMan City1181234102425
3Leicester CityLeicester117222781923
4Chelsea117222517823
5Arsenal114521615117
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd11443128416
7Bournemouth114431413116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton114341414015
9Crystal Palace114341014-415
10Manchester UnitedMan Utd113441311213
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs113441716113
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves112721414013
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham113441417-313
14Burnley113351418-412
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle11335917-812
16Aston Villa113261618-211
17Everton113261117-611
18Southampton112271027-178
19Norwich CityNorwich112181126-157
20Watford11056623-175

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!