Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Aston Villa as Virgil van Dijk scored, but a Dominik Szoboszlai slip proved costly and Champions League qualification made to wait
21:57, 15 May 2026Updated 22:01, 15 May 2026
Rio Ngumoha during Aston Villa vs Liverpool.
Rio Ngumoha during Aston Villa vs Liverpool.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM // Liverpool lost for a 12th time in the Premier League this season, this time to Aston Villa, with Arne Slot's men still waiting to secure a place in next year's Champions League after a second-half hammering.
Morgan Rogers opened the scoring late in the first half after Ollie Watkins had threatened earlier in the game. Without multiple senior attacks, though, Liverpool was unable to lay much of a glove on its opponent.
Virgil van Dijk pulled his side level but the parity didn't last long. Watkins netted when Dominik Szoboszlai slipped, allowing Rogers in behind to square in a dangerous area. Watkins later put the result beyond doubt with a finish from close range and John McGinn netted a great goal near the end.
READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe makes Xabi Alonso feelings clear amid Real Madrid chaos and Chelsea decisionREAD MORE: Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE: Team news, build-up, how to watch, TV channel and stream
Winners
Van Dijk took his goals well but there wasn't much else that was positive. Rio Ngumoha was quietened in the first half and had a couple more good moments in the second, including hitting the post with a low effort. Really, though, this was a familiar story for Liverpool, who looked to be missing some key men. It wasn't great going forward or at the back, and there was a second-half collapse.
Losers
In something of a recurring issue for Liverpool, there were too many spaces in the center of the field at times. Ryan Gravenberch was isolated early on, and Alexis Mac Allister wasn't offering a great deal. Whether that is tactical or more a case of there being a lack of energy and pressing ability, it needs to be fixed. It won't be before the summer.
Player ratings
Giorgi Mamardashvili (6). Standing in for Alisson Becker again, he got away with a mix-up when he came outside of his box early on. Not the most convincing with his passing at times either and unable to do much with the goals.
Joe Gomez (6). Back in the team at right-back, he looked fairly solid, but was unable to do much going forward. That includes his long throws, which never really looked like leading to anything. Booked for an unnecessary late tackle on Emi Buendia.
Ibrahima Konate (6). Ollie Watkins can be a tricky customer with his clever runs in behind and the Frenchman did well with him most of the time. His distribution was pretty good too, and he remained calm under pressure a couple of times. Ultimately, though, part of a defense that conceded far too easily.
Virgil van Dijk (7). Making his 54th start of the season, the Liverpool captain was beaten far too easily by Watkins early on but then improved. Most of the runs in behind were targeted on Konate's side and he scored twice.
Milos Kerkez (6). Didn't have many opportunities to get forward from full-back, and wasn't hugely involved. Defensively, generally alright against McGinn, but he is more of a midfielder than a winger, and he should have been closed down quicker when the Scotland man scored.
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Ryan Gravenberch (6). Essentially left on his own in the middle a lot of the time, with those around him pushed on a lot more, he did well to plug the gaps after a couple of early Aston Villa chances. As the first half wore on, he was tempted further forward, but not often to much effect.
Alexis Mac Allister (5). Neat and tidy at times, but usually to keep possession rather than progress it. The Argentine also headed over with a decent chance from a corner and wasn't able to stamp his authority on the game. His main contribution in the second half was being involved in a scrap in the penalty area before a corner.
Curtis Jones (6). In a more familiar position than full-back to begin with, he was in midfield, but off the right rather than through the center. He got into a few decent positions, but it didn't look particularly natural. Later moved back into defense but didn't make a huge impact in either role.
Dominik Szoboszlai* (6). *Deployed as the number 10 with Florian Wirtz only fit enough for the bench, he pressed well but didn't have too many runners around him to feed when he had the ball. A costly slip led to Aston Villa regaining the lead and his influence waned.
Cody Gakpo (5). Down the middle in the absence of both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, the Dutchman didn't get involved that much. Scored in the first half but was a good couple of yards offside. Should have closed down Rogers quicker for the opener. Limited.
Rio Ngumoha (7). Starting for the second successive league game, Aston Villa doubled up on him at times. Matty Cash was not easy to beat and left him no space to work in. Did hit the post with one good effort at 1-1 and at least injected some speed into things.
Substitutes
Federico Chiesa (6). Introduced much earlier than he has been a lot of times this season, the Italian won a free-kick early on with a good piece of footwork. After that, his impact was minimal.
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Florian Wirtz (6). Coming on for the final third of the game, he wasn't able to find the ball in much space. Too easily brushed off it at times and needs to be stronger.
Mohamed Salah (6). Introduced earlier than perhaps anticipated after coming back from injury. Looked determined to leave a mark on the game, but wasn't really able to do much. The third Aston Villa goal had already gone in when he entered the field.