Do Liverpool even want to qualify for the Champions League next season?
Still without their place in Europe’s top competition for 2026/27 secured, Liverpool suffered a miserable 4-2 loss against Aston Villa and played as though they were comfortably strolling toward back-to-back league titles, producing a lifeless display that failed to generate a goal from open play.
Additionally, not only did it mark Liverpool’s first league defeat at Villa Park since 2020, but it was also the first time an Arne Slot side had conceded four goals in a Premier League match, and they have now equaled their most defeats in all competitions in a single season this century (19) — the perfect sour cherry on top of what has been a miserable campaign.
So, amid yet another flat and frustrating performance, were there any players who still showed a willingness to fight for the badge on Friday night?
Starting XI:
Giorgi Mamardashvili: 5.5/10- There was not much he could have done about Rogers’ opening goal and McGinn's super hit, but he needed to handle Villa’s third far better, as the rebound should have been claimed cleanly rather than spilled into danger.
His distribution was also absolutely shambolic once again, an issue I’ve pointed out repeatedly, most notably when he completely whiffed on a clearance outside his own box 10 minutes into the first half, nearly gifting Villa a free goal. Performances like this have done little lately to inspire confidence that he can truly be Liverpool’s long-term No. 1.
Virgil van Dijk: 7.5/10- While the result was far from what anyone would have wanted, Virgil tried to lift the team the way a captain should, scoring a brace of headed goals from set pieces with excellent finishes on both occasions. Ultimately, it proved to be in vain, and he could hardly be blamed for any of Villa’s four goals. Overall, it was a very solid individual performance from the skipper.
Ibrahima Konate: 6.5/10- There were no glaring individual mistakes from Ibou, and he did well on several occasions to carry the ball forward himself and relieve pressure. Still, being part of a back line that conceded four goals is never going to look great on paper. It’s difficult to single him out for criticism tonight, but collectively the defense was brutal.
Milos Kerkez: 6.5/10- Continues to show an uptick in defensive prowess, dealing with a few odd-man situations with aplomb thanks to well-timed sliding tackles.
However, given the attacking tradition Liverpool have enjoyed from their fullbacks in recent years, he needs to start finding ways to contribute more consistently in the final third and add goal contributions to his game.
Joe Gomez: 6/10- It stuck in my craw to see him attempting ambitious efforts from outside the box despite still lacking a senior goal in a match of this magnitude, and beyond creating a few decent moments with his long throws, he offered little else. Liverpool’s inconsistency at right-back continues to rear its head in what has become an exhausting season.
Ryan Gravenberch: 6.5/10- Good for a few GravenTurns here and there, and while Villa’s midfield didn’t offer much compared to the clinical edge of their forwards on the night, he still managed to keep things relatively controlled in the middle of the park. However, much like Liverpool’s own midfield as a unit, he didn’t leave much of a mark on this one.
Alexis Mac Allister: 6/10- Was very passive throughout this one aside from a couple of headed efforts. It was also embarrassing to see him rolling around on the ground after the scuffle with Konsa — another example, in my view, of the lack of physical presence he’s shown throughout much of this season.
Curtis Jones: 6.5/10- The last of the midfield three to remain largely anonymous today. He showed a bit more spark when shifted to right-back, where he’s impressed in recent weeks, but overall he still failed to make any real mark on the game.
Rio Ngumoha: 6.5/10- Thought he was a bit selfish in possession at times, but like any confident attacker, he kept pulling the trigger and was unlucky not to be rewarded in the second half when his effort rattled the post. Overall, it was a decent showing, and I’m still confident he can develop into a more complete all-around playmaker with time.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 7/10- Produced two excellent assists to set up van Dijk on both occasions, adding to his impressive goal contribution tally this season while once again operating out of position at right wing.
However, his good work on the ball was overshadowed when he unluckily slipped to the ground in the buildup to Villa reclaiming the lead, a moment that ultimately proved decisive. Another performance defined by extreme highs and lows, perhaps reminiscent of the Barnsley game.
Cody Gakpo: 5.5/10- He’s not a defender, but he was the closest Liverpool player to Morgan Rogers for his well-taken goal and still failed to get close enough to apply any meaningful pressure. He also strayed offside an uncomfortable number of times, particularly in situations where he could have been alive to a rebound or second ball which is a sign of poor positional awareness. He needs to figure it out in the off-season, or he shouldn’t be part of the plans next season.
Substitutes:
Federico Chiesa, Florian Wirtz and Mo Salah: N/A- Not even going to bother rating the substitutes, as just seven minutes after the first wave of changes was made, Villa made it 3-1 and the team collectively seemed to drop their heads. It’s been bizarre to see how little impact the bench has had of late, especially after Slot appeared so adept at making the right adjustments in that department last season.
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