Nunez blows chance to fire Liverpool 10 points clear

Ten points clear with 12 games to go would have almost certainly put Liverpool, without a completely convincing title rival, on course for a second Premier League title before February is even out.

- PETE HALL

But Darwin’s gonna Darwin. Nunez has made a telling contribution to several Liverpool victories this term, but that penchant for the most calamitous misses never ceases to amaze.

The Uruguayan missed 27 big chances last term, but few as glaring as the one that could, and should, have earned Liverpool victory that had the potential to end the title race as a contest. A draw against a thrilling Aston Villa is nothing to be ashamed of. Had Mohamed Salah been on the end of Dominik Szoboszlai’s pass late on in front of the Holte End, however, you could call the open-top bus company and start concentrating on what other trophies will accompany the Premier League crown in May.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot told TNT after the match: “If you look at the chances we had to win the game, you can understand that there is one person in the dressing room that feels quite down. I think you know who it is.”

After a sluggish outing in a narrow win over Wolves last time out, it was clear from the outset Liverpool were in the Midlands with a point to prove. With Villa left chasing shadows, Virgil van Dijk had skied an effort from a good position and Diogo Jota’s free header flashed wide before six minutes was even on the clock.