Aston Villa 2 Liverpool 2: Reds drop vital points in title race as Darwin Nunez blows golden chance to win game

DARWIN NUNEZ will be having sleepless nights after a horror miss saw Liverpool drop crucial points in the title race.

The Reds were unable to continue their perfect form in the league as they dropped two points in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

Liverpool players on the field.
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Liverpool dropped two crucial points at Villa ParkCredit: Getty
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool shoots during a Premier League match.
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Darwin Nunez missed a golden chance to give Liverpool the winCredit: Getty
Aston Villa's John McGinn vying for the ball with Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister.
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Aston Villa fought hard to earn themselves a result against Europe's premier teamCredit: AP
Aston Villa vs. Liverpool match stats graphic.

Liverpool knew they were going to be in for a long night from the early stages when Villa saw a goal ruled out for offside in the opening exchanges.

But managed to poke their noses in front first after Mohamed Salah was left in acres of space to poke home the opener after 29 minutes.

Most teams go a goal down to Liverpool and become resigned to the defeat.

But Villa seemed buoyed by the challenge and managed to go ahead through Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins before the break.

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Liverpool weren't going down without a fight themselves, with so much at stake in the title race for Arne Slot's side.

And Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped up to steer home an equaliser just 16 minutes after the restart.

Liverpool were back in command and creating opportunites, when a golden one fell to the misfiring Darwin Nunez.

Nunez had the entire goal at his mercy from no more than six yards out with Emi Martinez in no-man's land.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool kneeling on the field after scoring a goal.
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Mohamed Salah opened the scoringCredit: Getty
Mohamed Salah's game statistics vs Aston Villa: 38 touches, 24 passes, 2 shots, 1 goal, 1 assist, 90 mins played.
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Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa celebrating a goal.
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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 19: Youri Tielemans equalised just nine minutes laterCredit: Getty

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But the Uruguayan striker blazed over the bar and watched two points sail into the crowd alongside it.

It was almost made worse for Liverpool too as Jacob Ramsey saw an 81st minute counter attack goal ruled out for offside.

New footage of Arne Slot's interaction with Michael Oliver emerges as mystery surrounds Liverpool manager's red card

Liverpool have still extended their gap at the top to eight points, but that can be sliced down the five this weekend if Arsenal get the better of West Ham at the Emirates.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa scoring a goal.
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Ollie Watkins put Villa ahead before the break with a guided headerCredit: Getty
Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrating a goal.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold put Liverpool back level in the second halfCredit: AFP
Soccer game in progress, score is 2-2.
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Darwin Nunez missed a golden opportunity to give the Red the lead

Match Stats

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