Jordan Henderson has admitted that Kostas Tsimikas was lucky not to concede a penalty against Aston Villa last night.
The captain was speaking to Stadium Astro after The Reds came from behind to beat Villa 2-1. Asked about the home side’s opening goal, the Liverpool captain said he thought it should have been called back for offside.
“There was a long ball at the beginning where I thought Oli Watkins was offside,” said Henderosn. “I don’t know if he was or not, then he had a shot and Ali saved it and then it came back out. I don’t know if it was too far back, but it was in the same sort of attack.
“Then I think it could have been a penalty. Kostas could have given a penalty away. But Ali saved it and then they get the rebound.”
It was a strange moment from Tsimikas so early on in the game. The £11.7m signing was looking for a foul himself as he went to ground in the penalty box. Replays showed that he actually pushed the Villa attacker himself. Either way, it was inconsequential as Douglas Luiz scrambled the ball home for Villa.
Watching on from the bench before his introduction after half and hour, Henderson was pleased with Liverpool’s response to the early setback.
“They were on top in that moment and scored a good goal, the crowd were up and that was a really important moment in the game that we scored so quickly to get back to 1-1,” he said.
Liverpool get their momentum back
It was a nightmare start for Liverpool at Villa Park. Coming straight on the back of an energy-sapping draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, The Reds could easily have let their heads drop.
To their credit though, they showed how much they want to stay in the fight for the title. The immediate equaliser was so important to get some control of the match and calm what really was a fervent Villa Park crowd.
As for Tsimikas, it was a rare blot on his copy-book. Had Villa not scored, John Moss might well have had a closer look with the VAR.
Otherwise, he was once again impressive for Liverpool. A first-half cross for a Sadio Mane header that was planted wide was a particular highlight. So too a likely goal-saving tackle on Ollie Watkins as the Villa man raced through on goal.
All in all, a brilliant night for Liverpool. Crucial players like Andy Robertson were given a rest and The Reds get their momentum back before Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Over to you now City. Come on you Wolves!
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