Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Mane’s goal completes Liverpool’s comeback against Aston Villa.

Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Mane’s goal completes Liverpool’s comeback against Aston Villa.

Jurgen Klopp claimed after Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Tuesday that they are still “chasing like mad” after Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

The top two teams are now tied on points, but City maintains its advantage on goal difference and has a game in hand against Wolves on Wednesday.

Just being held 1-1 at home by Tottenham at the weekend, Liverpool couldn’t afford another setback, and they got off to the worst possible start when Douglas Luiz put Villa ahead after three minutes.

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But Joel Matip immediately equalised, and Sadio Mane’s stunning header 25 minutes from time kept Liverpool in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.

“We are still chasing like mad,” said Klopp. “We just know we have to win, that didn’t change and now we have to recover to play the FA Cup final. There is no mercy.”

However, Fabinho went off with a muscular injury, making him a huge doubt for both the FA Cup final on Saturday and the Champions League final on May 28 against Real Madrid.

“He felt a muscle, not too much,” added Klopp. “He is quite positive but I’m not sure what I can make of that to be honest.”

With one eye on Wembley, Klopp took a chance with his lineup selection, leaving Mohamed Salah and Thiago Alcantara on the bench, while Andy Robertson was left out entirely.

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As Villa sprung out of the traps and caught them cold, the visitors appeared to be a much-changed side.

By the time Steven Gerrard’s side took the lead on three minutes, Alisson Becker had already denied Ollie Watkins.

Alisson parried Luiz’s header, but only back into the path of his Brazilian international partner, who hammered the rebound into the net.

Last season, Villa triumphed 7-2 in this match, but Liverpool came back strong this time after losing early.

A free-kick into the box was not dealt with by the hosts, and the ball eventually broke for Virgil van Dijk to square for his centre-back partner Matip to finish.

In a hectic first half, chances continued to pour from both sides.

Mane’s header was inches wide, and Liverpool’s Naby Keita missed a penalty kick with the goal gaping, while Danny Ings just failed to keep his header down from Lucas Digne’s enticing cross.

Fabinho limped off with a hamstring injury midway through the first half, indicating Liverpool’s hectic schedule was beginning to show physically.

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In the second period, though, Liverpool went through the gears to demonstrate the disparity in class between the two teams.

“We’ve got to take the big moments we created in the game,” said Gerrard. “I’m frustrated we didn’t score more than once.

“We were ambitious, brave and courageous against one of the best teams in the world.”

Luis Diaz’s January arrival has been essential in keeping Klopp’s side in contention for four titles.

The Colombian set up the winner by taunting Tyrone Mings before sending a precise cross for Mane to head in his 22nd goal of the campaign.

In the last quarter, Liverpool had a few nervous moments as Villa attempted to expose their high line.

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Ings was twice denied a goal after being placed through on goal before being flagged offside when he ultimately scored.

Liverpool, on the other hand, held on and will be hoping that Gerrard can finally save them in a title race.

Gerrard, who never won a league title during his illustrious playing career at Anfield, will lead Villa to the Etihad on the last day of the season to face City.