Liverpool Draws 2-2 Against Aston Villa, Falls Eight Points Behind Arsenal

Liverpool faced a setback in their Premier League title chase after a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, leaving them eight points behind Arsenal with a game in hand. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring, but goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins turned the game in Villa's favor before Trent Alexander-Arnold equalized. Manager Arne Slot expressed disappointment, particularly over Darwin Nunez's missed opportunity that could have secured a win, highlighting the team's tendency to drop points in games they should win. Slot also confirmed an injury to right-back Conor Bradley, which will see him miss upcoming matches against Manchester City and Newcastle. Additionally, Slot's management of Ryan Gravenberch has raised concerns, as the young midfielder has logged extensive minutes without adequate rest, potentially impacting his performance. Wataru Endo, meanwhile, has not started any Premier League games under Slot despite being effective in late-game situations, raising questions about his role in the squad.