![\"Liverpoool](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_GettyImages-2275842504.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLiverpool fell to a 12th Premier League defeat of the season against Aston Villa with Virgil van Dijk scoring but a Dominik Szoboszlai slip proving costly. This is what we spotted.<\/p>\n
21:57, 15 May 2026Updated 22:04, 15 May 2026<\/p>\n
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Liverpoool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Darren Staples \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM \/\/ Liverpool was made to wait until the final day of the season to wrap up qualification for the Champions League, suffering a 12th defeat in the Premier League this term \u2014 and this time a hefty one at the hands of Aston Villa.<\/p>\n
After an even first 45 minutes, Morgan Rogers curled an effort past Giorgi Mamardashvili<\/a> to break the deadlock. Ollie Watkins had gone close earlier on, but Liverpool had lacked much in the way of attacking threat.<\/p>\n Virgil van Dijk headed the Reds level from a Dominik Szoboszlai<\/a> free-kick, but the latter later slipped to allow Watkins to restore the home side’s lead and he later grabbed a second. Here are the four things Liverpool.com<\/a> spotted as the game unfolded and John McGinn curled in a fourth for Aston Villa to cap another sorry outing.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe makes Xabi Alonso feelings clear amid Real Madrid chaos and Chelsea decision<\/a>READ MORE: Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool LIVE: Reaction as Reds beaten again, Champions League wait continues<\/a>Familiar Liverpool tale<\/p>\n Qualifying for the Champions League<\/a>, in the context of such a difficult season, would represent something of an achievement for Liverpool. It has felt on the verge for some time, and yet, it is not mathematically secured yet.<\/p>\n With the defeats mounting, it is in some ways a miracle that it is still a possibility.<\/p>\n Arne Slot admitted before this game \u2014 Liverpool’s last away fixture of a tough campaign \u2014 that his side’s performances away from home have simply not been good enough in recent months.<\/p>\n That is a major area to target for improvement heading into next season. And being fitter \u2014 and therefore harder to play through \u2014 would be a good place to start.<\/p>\n Tepid up top and lacking much in the way of creativity and speed in the final third, there was not much to shout about. Neither of the full-backs was able to make much of an impact and Liverpool was, once again, too open defensively.<\/p>\n Alexis Mac Allister clashed with Ezri Konsa during Liverpool’s game against Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n Arne Slot attack lacking<\/p>\n The decision to take off Rio Ngumoha<\/a> was booed at Anfield a week ago, though it later transpired that the winger was tired and needed to be replaced. He lasted the full game here, and was the liveliest of a not-particularly-good bunch.<\/p>\n The jeers spoke to two things: firstly, that the teenager is so highly thought of by so many people, and secondly, that there is a lack of patience among the Liverpool fanbase for Arne Slot.<\/p>\n Ngumoha was in again from the off here, in part due to the absence of more senior options. In starting, the 17-year-old equaled the record for the most appearances by a Liverpool player while aged under 18, alongside Michael Owen.<\/p>\n Coming up against the experienced Matty Cash, though, Ngumoha couldn’t beat his man many times. John McGinn, playing off the right, was quick to get back and double up too.<\/p>\n It was often a frustrating outing for him down the left, though he did hit the post. It was a valuable learning curve. Ultimately, Liverpool was lacking more senior options to turn to (or at least put in around him) and that proved costly.<\/p>\n In conjunction with some more unconvincing defending, it was a pretty bad mix.<\/p>\n Rio Ngumoha during Aston Villa vs Liverpool.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Liverpool transfer need clear<\/p>\n It has been a miserable first season for Alexander Isak<\/a>. Out here with a minor injury \u2014 at the same time as Hugo Ekitike’s major one and with Mohamed Salah<\/a> only able to make the bench \u2014 the Liverpool attack was really short.<\/p>\n Next year, with a full summer for Isak to finally get back up to speed, and with another injection of quality in the transfer market, things should look different.<\/p>\n Once again, the need for more speed and quality in wide areas was glaring, however. Even when Isak and Ekitike are both firing, that can only be fully addressed by making some additions.<\/p>\n For now, though, assuming that a Champions League spot is eventually wrapped up, Liverpool simply needs the campaign to end. It needs a hard reset.<\/p>\n Aston Villa offered more in the final third but this was a game with little to shout about for the Reds throughout. It’s been a familiar tale for Liverpool across the last few months.<\/p>\n One step closer to a reset<\/p>\n![\"BIRMINGHAM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_GettyImages-2276450009.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Rio](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_GettyImages-2276441886.jpg\")
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