THE BIG VAN'S BACK

Virgil snuffs out danger to get Reds out of their rut

- BY ANDY DUNN

EVEN in the most febrile Anfield atmosphere this season, even against a team whose challenges carried an extra bite of determination, even against a press that was more intense than normal, Aston Villa sensed a vulnerability.

For all the adrenaline, Arne Slot (above) and his men were always going to be anxious.

For Unai Emery's side, the task was simple - get an early goal and feel the anxiety spread.

Morgan Rogers did his best, his powerful hit punching a post, and a deflected Matty Cash hit brought some impressive aerobatics out of Giorgi Mamardashvili. But when Evann Guessand fiddled his way through the penalty area attentions of Andy Robertson, it looked as though the Villa breakthrough might materialise.

Instead, across came a familiar figure to put an emphatic end to the danger.