Liverpool had insult added to injury on Friday night after striker Ollie Watkins admitted just how easy the Reds have now become to play against.
A torrid evening at Villa Park saw yet another sterile Liverpool performance bring on a big defeat, with Unai Emery’s side confirming Champions League football as a result.
Watkins was on target twice in the 4-2 rout, taking his total tally against the Reds to eight. Only Andy Cole and Harry Kane have scored more against Liverpool.
When praised and asked about his enjoyment of facing Liverpool, Watkins offered a brutally honest assessment which only spells bad news for Arne Slot.
The Villa striker admitted: “They play a high line and they don’t play offsides so they’re disjointed at the back and I feel like there’s a lot of space for me to run into.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts as Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I always feel like I’m going to get opportunities against them, that’s no disrespect to them. The two centre backs are world class at the end of the day but I think I spot opportunities and spaces in between them.
“When it’s a high line like that I like to run in behind and create some danger for them.”
Watkins may have tempered his assessment somewhat by doing Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate the lip-service of acknowledging their credentials, but the underlining sentiment is bleak.
Liverpool have been porous at the back all season, but now Premier League strikers are openly coming out and expressing their enjoyment of facing Slot’s back line.
Only 5 teams have conceded more than Liverpool this season
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister reacts to conceding his side's third goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Reds have conceded 77 goals conceded this season in all competitions – the most in over 20 years.
The 52 goals conceded in the league is the first time conceding over 50 in a 38-game season.
Only Leeds and the bottom four clubs have conceded more than Slot’s side this season.
That opponents have to do Liverpool the favour in publicly stating they mean no offence when laying bare their frailties for all to see certainly speaks volumes.
Losing so miserably at Villa Park now means confidence is lower than ever before, with Liverpool yet to officially secure Champions League qualification.
All may yet come down to the wire on the final game of the season as Brentford arrive at Anfield, in a fixture which will also host the farewells of Mo Salah and Andy Robertson.
Liverpool, as a result of their own wayward form and lacklustre intent, have now opened up the possibility of missing out on Champions League football – offered this season out to five places – in front of their home faithful just as two of the biggest names in recent history depart.