Liverpool lost their 12th league game of the season, their most since 2012, being completely outclassed by Aston Villa.
## Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool
Premier League (37) | Villa Park
May 15, 2026
Goals
Rogers 42′
Van Dijk 52′ (assist: Szoboszlai)
Watkins 57′
Watkins 73′
McGinn 89′
Van Dijk 90+2′ (assist: Szoboszlai)
Stats
Possession: 45%- 55%
Shots: 14 (9) – 16 (5)
Big Chances: 5 – 4
Expected Goals (xG): 1.91 – 1.55
More injuries and another ‘new’ attack
Arne Slot made one change to the team that disappointingly drew with Chelsea last week, with Joe Gomez coming in for Jeremie Frimpong – who was out of the squad with another new injury.
Also missing from the squad, for the 28th time this season, was Alexander Isak with what was described as a minor problem.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson on the pitch for their final two games for the club before the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Federico Chiesa, despite having continually been told the reason he wasn’t starting games was due to Salah being ahead of him, again sat on the bench.
Dominik Szoboszlai moved to the right of attack, with Curtis Jones moving from right back to centre midfield.
Mo Salah returned from injury to make the bench.
Liverpool concede first yet again
The two sides went into the game level on points, each requiring a win to guarantee Champions League qualification for next season.
Unsurprisingly, it was the home side that started brighter, Ollie Watkins testing Giorgi Mamardashvili inside the opening two minutes.
Liverpool grew into the game and did have the ball in the net midway through the half but, just like last week, Gakpo was offside.
Szoboszlai tested with a long range effort, while Rio Ngumoha was a constant threat down the left.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili reacts to conceding the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But Slot’s side were undone by a well worked corner routine that saw Morgan Rogers curl home a superb finish before the break.
The 22nd time this season Liverpool conceded first; having gone on to win just two of previous 21, you could be forgiven for having given up at this point.
Half-time: Aston Villa 1-0 Liverpool
Villa completely outclass Liverpool
Liverpool were back into the game, though, soon after the break.
Virgil van Dijk headed home from Szoboszlai’s free kick. The skipper’s seventh goal of the season, his highest return.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal following the VAR check during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It was almost 2-1 within minutes; Ngumoha curled an effort onto the post and Gakpo stretched to scuff the rebound over the bar.
Instead, it was the home side that restored their lead when Szoboszlai slipped and Villa were clinical with Watkins finishing smartly.
Watkins was in multiple times throughout the half, causing the Liverpool defence huge problems.
Slot turned to Chiesa and Florian Wirtz from the bench, moving Jones back to right back and Szoboszlai central.
Villa hit the post through Buendia as the home side easily cut apart Liverpool.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk scores his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It was no surprise when Watkins made it 3-1, tapping in after Mamardashvili had made two initial saves.
The 76th goal conceded this season – the most in over 20 years.
In the league, it became the 51st goal conceded – the first time conceding more than 50 league goals in a 38-game campaign.
Villa made it 4-1 late on, Liverpool producing some of the most passive defending you will ever see to invite McGinn to curl in from the edge of the box.
Van Dijk added a consolation in stoppage time, another header off a set piece.
Liverpool drop to fifth, having won just three of the last nine league games. They’ll need a result on the final day of the season to secure Champions League football, having missed the opportunity to do so yet again.
Slot’s side end the season with just seven away league victories, their second-lowest tally since 2012/13.
Outclassed, out-coached, outworked and utterly weak. Again.
TIA Man of the Match: Rio Ngumoha
Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool: Match Facts
Aston Villa: artinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Lindelof, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Subs: Bizot, Garcia, Luiz, Maatsen, Barkley, Bogarde, Bailey, Sancho, Abraham
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Gomez (Chiesa 66′), Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch (Wirtz 66′), Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Jones, Ngumoha; Gakpo (Salah 75′)
Subs not used: Woodman, Ndiaye, Robertson, McConnell, Nyoni, Wright
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Next match: Brentford (H) – Premier League – Sunday, May 24, 4pm