Liverpool trail at Villa Park thanks to an opener from Morgan Rogers, deserved for Aston Villa after they dominated for large parts of the first half, moving the home side ahead of the Reds in the Premier League.
The opening stages of the game were dominated by Villa, with Ollie Watkins causing problems for the back four to deal with. Fortunately for Kopites, for all the early pressure the home side brought, they were able to avoid conceding the opener.
As the match dragged on, Liverpool began to get a hand of the intensity that came from the Europa League finalists. Chances came here and there, and they even found the back of the net before the flag was raised for an offside.
As the game was closing in on the halftime whistle, Rogers found space from a corner and curled his effort into the far corner, giving Mamardashvili no chance at all.
Here are the ReadLiverpool half-time ratings:
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 5
The Georgian shotstopper had little to do in the first half, though he almost cost the Reds the lead when a long ball was played into the path of Ollie Watkins. As the keeper came to collect the ball outside the area, the English forward battled him for the ball and won it, though his cross was easily dealt with.
Villa didn’t offer much threat going forward, apart from a handful of long-range efforts which were easily dealt with. He will be expecting to be called into action more in the second half with Watkins looking dangerous when picking it up in the box.
Joe Gomez – 5
The home side looked to target the space out on Liverpool’s right side a few times, which created a few chances in their favour. The veteran gave away a foul just outside the area. Luckily for him, Matty Cash’s strike was well blocked.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
There is still uncertainty regarding his future at Anfield, and in what could be his last away game, there has been little to show for it. He dealt with their English forward well at times, pushing him away from the goal to allow the Reds to remain level.
Virgil Van Dijk – 6
Similar to his French partner and Gomez, Watkins has tried to trouble them in the first 45 minutes, though outside of a few possibilities, he’s done little. He almost unlocked an opener with a long ball to Rio Ngumoha, though it didn’t deliver the final product.
Milos Kerkez – 5
He fought bravely at stages, and linked up well with on the left with Ngumoha, though there is a hope he can get control of the ball more in the second half, and do more in an attacking sense, especially with Cash struggling.
Curis Jones – 5
The scouser has brought calmness when collecting the ball but their is a wish he could release players into more advanced areas, a few overhit balls behind the Villa defence haven’t helped them build too much momentum
Alexis Mac Allister – 5
He’s had a few chances to find the back of the net, including a free header from a corner, which glanced the side netting. When deeper, he has failed to make a decisive challenge or block to really put Liverpool back on the front foot.
Ryan Gravenberch – 4
Alongside the Argentinian, they have struggled to lay a glove on the midfield setup by the home team, which has been a constant issue this season, where they have simply been missing in a game away from home.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
The Hungarian has led the press once again for the Reds, and looked the creative source for the away side. He took a shot from range, which Martinez had to deal with, and had a few set pieces that created a few problems for Unai Emery’s troops.
Rio Ngumoha – 7
Just as he has been for weeks at this stage, the teenager has been the attacking force that Slot’s side has called out for. Cash has had a tricky afternoon up against the winger, who will be opening to create a golden opportunity later in the match.
Most Premier League appearances for Liverpool before turning 18:
◎ 18 – Michael Owen
◉ 18 – Rio Ngumoha 🆕
The future is bright. ☀️ pic.twitter.com/rMIvC40CT9
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 15, 2026
Ngumoha has also matched a Liverpool record set by one in the 1990s, and he has shown why this evening, being one of the only players giving it everything to push them in the right direction.
Cody Gakpo – 4
The Dutch forward did find the back of the net after Emi Martinez dropped the ball from a Gravenberch shot, but he was deemed offside. That was his story of the first half, as he constantly found himself in an offside position, having little impact in the attacking third. An argument can be made it was his job to close Rogers down to block his curling effort.