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Roberto Firmino signed off in fairytale fashion with a goal in front of the Kop on his final Anfield appearance but his 89th-minute strike only earned a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa to leave Liverpool’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread. The Brazil international, leaving after eight years, came off the bench to an emotional welcome and responded in perfect fashion with his 110th goal in his 361st and – most likely – penultimate appearance. That he could not inspire the winner to keep their top-four hopes within realistic reach would have been a massive disappointment to a player who has played an integral part in the huge success under Jurgen Klopp. But the hosts took too long to respond to Jacob Ramsey’s goal in the first half on a frustrating afternoon as a nine-match winning run came to an end. Liverpool have not spent a single day in the top four this season and they are now highly unlikely to – barring an aberration – as United’s win at Bournemouth means they need only a point from two matches as the farewell party primarily for stalwarts Firmino and James Milner, but also Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, fell flat. Despite frustration at the late equaliser, an impressive point for Villa lifted them into seventh and above Tottenham – meaning a victory against Brighton in their final game next week would earn Unai Emery’s side a European place. Klopp had to watch from the stands as he served a one-match touchline ban, and it was probably best he was up there as his side endured an infuriating afternoon in more ways than one. Referee John Brooks, who was the fourth official in whose face Klopp celebrated against Tottenham which led to his suspension for this game, made a number of decisions that irked the home fans, who believed Aston Villa were time wasting. Liverpool may argue he made a mistake in not sending off Tyrone Mings for a chest-high challenge on Cody Gakpo in the first half which ripped the Liverpool attacker’s shirt, although the decision was backed by VAR. They might also complain over Brooks’ interpretation of Ezri Konsa not deliberately playing the ball, meaning Virgil Van Dijk was ruled offside for what would have been Gakpo’s equaliser early in the second half. But, in truth, Liverpool lacked ideas in the final third, too often sending hopeful crosses into the arms of Emi Martinez as Villa’s well-marshalled defence denied them space in and around the penalty area. Even Trent Alexander-Arnold’s radar appeared to be off as his usually reliable delivery misfired. And by the 27th minute the visitors had something to hold on to after Ramsey had put them ahead. That honour should have gone to Ollie Watkins seven minutes earlier when he raced on to John McGinn’s flick over the top to induce an ill-judged tackle from Ibrahima Konate, but the striker placed his penalty well wide. Ramsey was not so wasteful as his well-executed volley from Douglas Luiz’s cross whistled past Alisson, who succeeded in denying Ramsey from a well-worked free-kick routine minutes later. However, Villa, who succeeded in their bid to frustrate both their opponents and most of Anfield, appeared fortunate to finish the half still with 11 men on the pitch. Brooks only booked Mings for his challenge on Gakpo, verified by VAR who also turned down appeals for a penalty for Luiz’s challenge on Jordan Henderson, as Liverpool closed the half without a shot on target. Gakpo thought he had an equaliser after the restart when he followed in a rebound from a Konate shot which was blocked on the line by Mings, but VAR invited Brooks to view the pitchside monitor and he overturned his original decision. The Premier League’s subsequent explanation was that Van Dijk was in an offside position from Diaz’s header and Brooks determined it was a deflection off Konsa and not a deliberate attempt to play the ball. Still Liverpool pushed without genuinely testing Martinez and even the introductions of Firmino, along with fellow departee Milner, Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota, failed to raise the threat level. That was until the 89th minute, when the Brazil international slid in to convert Salah’s low cross to sign off in style and set up a frantic spell in 10 minutes of added time. However, as with much of their season, they fell just short. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Nico Denz wins another stage as Geraint Thomas surrenders Giro d’Italia lead Dean Smith turns to ‘big influence’ Jonny Evans to help Leicester’s survival bid Ryan Mason encourages little to be read into Harry Kane’s wave to Spurs fans

Boss Dean Smith is prepared to rely on Jonny Evans again in Leicester’s desperate last-gasp survival bid. The defender made his first Premier League start in seven months in Monday’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool following an injury-hit season. He could start in Monday’s trip to Newcastle, which Leicester will need to win to survive after Everton drew with Wolves and if Nottingham Forest avoid defeat against Arsenal on Saturday. Evans was preferred ahead of £15million January signing Harry Souttar and Smith is ready to turn to the former Manchester United man again. “He is a really big influence and he did alright the other night. There was no gamble from us putting him in,” he said. “He’d had four weeks training and some 11 v 11 minutes in training as well so we had no doubts about that. “We’d have been guided by Jonny if he’d had any doubts but he’s a top professional, really good player. “So, possibly (we would not be in this mess) but I don’t know as I wasn’t here. From what I’ve seen I’d have liked to have him for all eight games. “All his career he has been in the Premier League. From what I’ve found of him so far, he’s a really affable character but a leader the others will want to follow as well. So in terms of the experience he’s probably been missed.” Evans, from his time at West Brom, and Jamie Vardy – following the Foxes’ Great Escape in 2015 – have Premier League relegation battle experience in the squad. Smith also guided Aston Villa to safety in 2020 and believes any knowhow to help them survive is crucial. He said: “The experience you have in the dressing room you use to the best of your abilities. Shakey (Craig Shakespeare, assistant) was here when Leicester stayed up before so I’m leaning on him, I’ve had the same with Aston Villa. “All that experience we have to give to the players and help them.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Nico Denz wins another stage as Geraint Thomas surrenders Giro d’Italia lead Ryan Mason encourages little to be read into Harry Kane’s wave to Spurs fans Jon Rahm struggles in heavy rain at start of third round of US PGA Championship

Drew Miller committed to the G, but Iowa losing a punter to Georgia should not have happened.Georgia is elite at football and Iowa is elite at punting, so something had to give in Drew Miller's recruitment.The No. 1 punter in the 2024 cycle committed to the G on Friday evening. Despite ...

The Tampa Bay Rays picked up a win behind Shane McClanahan on Friday night, and they’re looking to make it two straight against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.Tampa Bay will send Zach Eflin (5-1, 3.38 ERA) to the mound against Brewers lefty Eric Lauer (4-4, 4.54 ERA).The Rays have g...

The third round of the PGA Championship is underway at soggy Oak Hill, where wet conditions await a trio of co-leaders when they tee off

Carlo Ancelotti says he will finish his contract with Real Madrid despite their defeat in the Champions League semifinals and with rumors swirling that Brazil would love the Italian to become its next coach

Manchester United and Newcastle are on the brink of qualifying for next season's Champions League after Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, while Everton remain in relegation danger despite their...

Roberto Firmino kept Liverpool's bid for Champions League football next season hanging by a thread as the Brazilian waved goodbye to Anfield with a late equaliser in a 1-1...

Joel Ward’s late equaliser ensured the points were split as Crystal Palace salvaged a 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage. Odsonne Edouard opened the scoring for the Eagles in the first half but Aleksandar Mitrovic’s spot kick in stoppage time ensured the sides were level at the break. The Serbian striker, who had returned to the Cottagers’ starting line-up for the first time since his eight-match ban, then looked to have ignited a comeback win when he fired in his 14th of the season. The hosts, however, were denied a final home victory of the campaign when Ward levelled from his own rebound to send the Eagles back to Selhurst Park with a point. Roy Hodgson was without the services of Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha, who is out of contract at the end of this season and might have played his last game as an Eagle after aggravating an injury last time out. Palace defender Joachim Andersen collided with Mitrovic soon after kick-off, leading to a bloody nose for the Cottager who was deemed fit to continue after swapping for a blank shirt. Kenny Tete lifted a cross well above the woodwork and his side failed to make anything of two free-kicks, both from dangerous positions, as the first period ticked past its halfway point. Palace remained in search of their first shot after Joao Palhinha’s well-timed tackle broke up Eberechi Eze’s threatening run, while Issa Diop’s clearance ended a scramble from Jordan Ayew’s cross at the back post. Though Fulham seemed likelier to break the deadlock it was the visitors who took the lead on 34 minutes. Eze’s lovely through ball to Edouard, starting in place of the injured Zaha, set up the opener, the Frenchman clipping the underside of the crossbar as he finished. Palace looked to be taking the 1-0 lead into the break before Tyrick Mitchell was punished for fouling Harry Wilson late in three minutes of added time and the referee pointed to the spot. Mitrovic stepped up and gave Sam Johnstone no chance as he fired in the equaliser to ensure it was all to play for after the break. He somehow missed making it two to start the second half, collecting Harrison Reed’s cross at the left post but sent his effort from six yards out wide before Willian saw a shot picked out of the air by the Palace keeper. The Eagles had not registered a second shot by the time Fulham took the lead through Mitrovic, ensuring the hosts finally made the most of a set piece when he nodded Willian’s free-kick past Johnstone’s right post. It took a fine save from the Eagles keeper to ensure his side did not fall further behind when he just managed to tip Willian’s curled effort over the bar. Everything looked to be going Fulham’s way until Palace won a free-kick. Olise’s initial delivery bounced around the box before landing at the feet of Joel Ward. Leno stopped the initial effort, but the Palace skipper was alert to his own rebound and equalised with a left-footed effort to seal the result. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Callum McGregor rescues point for Celtic from dramatic draw with St Mirren Casemiro goal puts Manchester United on verge of Champions League qualification Yerry Mina’s last-gasp equaliser at Wolves gives Everton hope of survival

Match report and player ratings from Liverpool's Premier League meeting with Aston Villa.

Robin Lod has been ruled out for an extended period after suffering a meniscus tear in his right knee during Wednesday’s 1-0 home-win over the Houston Dynamo.

By Andrew Osborn LONDON Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Saturday that his Wagner fighters had completed