The China Mail - Liverpool's title charge dented by Aston Villa draw

Arne Slot's men open up an eight-point lead at the top of the table over second-placed Arsenal, but the Gunners now have a game in hand over the Reds.

Liverpool led through Mohamed Salah but were also forced to come from behind after Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins swung momentum in Villa's favour.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's deflected shot secured a point for the visitors, but it should have been more as substitute Darwin Nunez missed a glorious chance to snatch victory.

Villa, though, could also have won it in stoppage time as Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen went close.

A point does little for Villa's hope of returning to the Champions League next season as they remain in ninth.

Liverpool are now 22 Premier League games unbeaten, but a second 2-2 draw in eight days offers Arsenal hope in the title race, especially as Slot's side visit Manchester City on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio were handed their first Villa starts by Unai Emery as he reacted to a disappointing 1-1 draw against 10-man Ipswich on Saturday.

Rashford nearly had a hand in the opening goal but had strayed offside before his cross was turned into his own net by Virgil van Dijk.

Villa were masters of their own downfall when the opener did arrive on 29 minutes.

Andres Garcia's backpass went straight to Diogo Jota, who unselfishly squared for Salah to fire in his 29th goal of the season.

Villa were level within nine minutes as Liverpool failed to properly clear a free-kick into the box and the ball fell kindly to Tielemans, who produced a classy finish on the volley.

Jota should have restored the visitors' advantage immediately when be blazed high and wide with just Emi Martinez to beat.

Instead it was Villa who led at half-time as poor Liverpool defending allowed Watkins a free run to meet Lucas Digne's cross with a header into the far corner.

Rashford's one big chance to make his mark for his new club arrived just seconds into the second half when he skipped past the onrushing Alisson Becker, but could not beat Ibrahima Konate's towering presence as the French defender headed wide.

The Liverpool onslaught duly followed to extend Slot's run of never having lost an away Premier League game.

Jota curled a fine effort from the edge of the box off the bar.

Alexander-Arnold was a growing influence on the game when he levelled on the hour mark with the aid of a deflection off Tyrone Mings.

Slot threw on Luis Diaz and Nunez off the bench in search of a winner and one of his substitutes should have delivered a vital three points.

Nunez had an open goal to aim at after being picked out by Dominik Szoboszlai but fired over to the disbelief of his manager.

Martinez then had to rush off his line to deny Nunez another clear run on goal.

Villa, though, had the majority of the chances in a frantic finale.

Jacob Ramsey's strike was ruled out for offside before Rogers and Malen's powerful drives flew just off target.

W.Tam--ThChM