The press on Villa 1-2 LFC: 'A team that does not know when it's beaten'

Andy Robertson thumped home a header to make it 1-1 in the 87th minute, and Sadio Mane then did brilliantly to glance home a header from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner in stoppage time.

Here is what the media made of the victory...

Paul Gorst, Liverpool Echo

Liverpool have simply mastered the art of great drama. This resourceful team Jürgen Klopp has constructed these past four years just does not know when it is beaten. Yet again, victory was snatched away from the jaws of defeat as they responded to another extreme examination of their Premier League title credentials. It is now 28 games unbeaten for Klopp's side, domestically, and they have lost only one of their last 49 Premier League matches dating back to the start of last season. The run will go on after another white knuckle ride that took the travelling supporters through every range of emotion. The stage was set for Alexander-Arnold on his 100th senior appearance to steal the show but his well-struck free-kick took a deflection over the bar before the resulting corner was dramatically turned home by Mane's darting header. After Manchester City's own narrow 2-1 win over Southampton, this was the ideal way to end the game and maintain that six-point buffer ahead of next Sunday's showdown at Anfield. What a game that promises to be at Anfield next week. 

Neil Jones, Goal.com

The clock showed 87 minutes, and Liverpool were in trouble. They were 1-0 down at Aston Villa, and had just heard the news from the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City had come from behind to lead Southampton 2-1. The Reds’ advantage was about to be cut to just three points, with City able to go top by winning at Anfield next weekend. It hadn’t been Liverpool’s day. They trailed to Trezeguet’s first-half strike and, despite laying siege to the Villa goal in the second period, had been unable to muster anything in reply. And then it happened. In the third minute of stoppage time, the Villa wall deflected a Alexander-Arnold free-kick behind for a corner. The home fans breathed. They’d survived. They hadn’t. From the corner, Alexander-Arnold’s near-post delivery was met by the head of Mane, the ball diverted into the far corner of the net. Bedlam. How does this team keep doing it? How does it keep finding its reserves of energy, courage and belief? They were three minutes from defeat, but never willing to accept it. For the third league game in a row, they came from behind to grab points. These were precious ones, keeping them six clear of City at the top of the table. 

Mark Critchley, Independent

Alexander-Arnold's deliveries had caused persistent problems for Villa. In the fourth of five minutes added-on, the full-back played a corner low and to the near post. Mane stooped down low to head the ball, receiving a boot to his face for his troubles, but his connection was true enough to bend it out of Heaton's reach and into the far corner. There is 'grinding out results', then there is this. Dropping points and seeing their lead cut to three or even four points could have been a significant psychological blow, particularly on a day when Manchester City staged their own late comeback to win. Instead, ahead of a visit from the defending champions to Anfield next week, one that will have a significant say in where this league title is won and lost, Liverpool look like a team that simply does not know how to lose.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.