Aston Villa vs. Liverpool score: Sadio Mane scores winner as Reds keep Premier League title race alive

Liverpool provisionally closed the gap on Manchester City at the Premier League summit with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Tuesday. Douglas Luiz gave the hosts an early lead, but Joel Matip swiftly leveled and it was ultimately left to Sadio Mane to ensure that Jurgen Klopp's men left Birmingham with all three points.

Steve Gerrard and his Villans tried their best to go back in front when level and the equalize once down, but Danny Ings was denied late on when he had an effort chalked off. Ultimately, the Reds deserved their win, but Fabinho's injury means it came at a cost while the hosts still had their chances through Ollie Watkins and Ings.

The result moves Liverpool to 86 points in the table, level with City, who play Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Wednesday. 

Once again, it was an example of Mane's excellence and how decisive it can be. The Senegal superstar came up big with a difficult headed finish from Luis Diaz's ball in, and his ability to finish those sorts of chances makes the difference in a title race like this.

Klopp elected to rotate heavily and placed extra emphasis on Mane, which he was ultimately rewarded for, and the 30-year-old almost added a second late on. Had he not stepped up when he did, it might have been Villa running out winners instead of the Reds.

The Argentine was industrious when he was sent on for the final 20 minutes, which really makes you wonder what Villa might have been able to do had Gerrard not tried to persevere with Philippe Coutinho for so long. A flicked header at the end and a role in teeing up Ings hinted at his ability to unlock Liverpool's back line.

Given his recent showing against Burnley, Buendia was unlucky to not start here, and perhaps Gerrard was guilty of too much faith in Coutinho to thrive on the moment against his former club. Whatever the reasoning, it held the hosts back.

Serially underrated, the German-born former Cameroon international came up big with an equalizer at one end and a solid defensive display at the other. The 30-year-old remains a solid option for Klopp and perfect for these sorts of games where rotation and reliability is needed.

This has been Matip's busiest season at Anfield yet, and he will be required to step up once or twice more between now and the end of the season. If he can replicate this sort of assured display, then Klopp will not have anything to worry about..

The result was of major importance, but it has come at a cost with Fabinho picking up an injury and being forced off. Anything more than a few days out for the Brazilian will be problematic as the FA Cup final versus Chelsea is on Saturday. 

Also, given Liverpool's run-in and the Champions League final, Klopp will be keen to know the extent of his injury so far. A season-ending issue would make things extremely complicated in midfield at a challenging time.