Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Liverpool slipped up away from home for the second consecutive week as missed opportunities proved costly in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday.

The Reds led through Mohamed Salah after the ball was laid on a plate by Diogo Jota, but the hosts responded in quick succession before the break, via Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins, through some questionable Liverpool defending.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected strike found the net to level but it was more points dropped, failing to secure a ten-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.

We will be giving you the player ratings of Arne Slot’s team from a night of ‘what-ifs’ in the West Midlands.

ALISSON BECKER – 6

Alisson conceded two goals but no blame can be brought solely upon him, but rather the players ahead of the Brazilian that ultimately failed to protect their goalkeeper.

There may have been a misunderstanding between Alisson and Dominik Szoboszlai for Aston Villa’s first strike, as the ball looked set to be a comfortable catch by the goalkeeper, but the latter headed back into the danger area for Tielemans to fire home.

The goalkeeper was not involved a lot over the course of the ninety minutes, therefore a rating of six seems reasonable.

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 7

Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped up to the plate when Liverpool were in desperate need of an equaliser in the second half.

His deflected strike levelled for 2-2 just after the hour mark, earning the Reds a point on a night where they’ll feel frustrated not to collect three.

Following the goal, Alexander-Arnold was then substituted for Conor Bradley, who wasn’t able to have the same impact.

Liverpool struggled to create anything other than one big chance that was fired over by Darwin Nunez, and Trent’s creativity could not be sourced anymore.

The right-back produced a solid performance and was one of the better players on the night.

which is expected given the amount of minutes played this season and it was another day where he wasn’t up to the such high standards he has set.

The midfielder was largely sounded out by Aston Villa’s midfield trio and led further afield to provide cover for Alexander-Arnold, therefore could not assert his dominance in the middle and appeared sluggish at times.

Not his best night, but certainly not his worst.

AFP.DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI – 6

Dominik Szoboszlai worked tirelessly all night, maintaining the press from the front and keeping the ball ticking in possession for Liverpool.

The Hungarian would have been rewarded with an assist, but Darwin Nunez fluffed his lines from seven yards.

Except from that one opportunity, Szoboszlai wasn’t involved many times apart from breaking up the play.

Six.

CURTIS JONES – 7

Curtis Jones was deployed on the left-wing ahead of Luis Diaz, having played the position during his younger years.

His ability to maintain the possession when players are tight and then dribble into space is a key component of his.

There was a moment in the first half where Jones was able to spin three Aston Villa players before letting fire a shot on goal, but proved no test for Emiliano Martinez.

Regular ball carries into forward areas too.

Martin Rickett/PA.

Mohamed Salah is our Man of the Match against Aston Villa.

The Egyptian delivered a goal and an assist but was ultimately let down by others in the decisive moments.

38 goal involvements in the Premier League this season, and 15 away goals, a new Premier League record.

Liverpool must do everything to keep him beyond this summer.

The King gets a nine.

SUBSTITUTES:DARWIN NUNEZ – 4

Nights like last night for Darwin Nunez, sum up his three years at Liverpool.

The Uruguayan’s decision-making was rash and missed an open net from only a few yards out at 2-2, a chance that nobody will want to relive.

Unfortunately, this is almost certainly what we’ll get from Nunez, and another poor cameo paints the full picture ahead of what is expected to be a summer departure.

Not good.

Four.

CONOR BRADLEY – 6

Conor Bradley replaced Trent-Alexander Arnold but could only last twenty-three minutes before a substitution for what looked to be his hamstring.

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda.

The defender wasn’t able to involve himself in the game that much but did manage to find Dominik Szoboszlai for Nunez’s missed opportunity.

No other influence which sees the Northern Irishman get a rating of six.

LUIS DIAZ – N/A

Luis Diaz was brought on in the eightieth minute but was unable to lay a mark following a late Aston Villa surge.

Would be harsh to give a rating after a very short appearance.

JARELL QUANSAH – N/A

The same applies for Jarell Quansah.

The defender entered the field due to Conor Bradley’s injury and played just over three minutes, before the final whistle.

ARNE SLOT – 6.5PA Wire.

Arne Slot’s game plan was executed to perfection for the first 38 minutes, prior to the conceding of two quickfire goals before half-time.

Liverpool were by far the better side and in the ascedency.

Although, there seemed to be a period in the second half where Aston Villa were allowed to play their football leading to Slot’s substitutions, that ultimately didn’t make the intended impact.

Lessons will be learned from Wednesday’s draw with Aston Villa.

The key factor will be how they are able to turn draws into victories soon enough, and no better time than the present as the Reds make the trip to Manchester City, this Sunday.

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone?
For more news relating to Manchester City, visit our sister site City Latest Live.