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Aston Villa sealed Champions League football as Liverpool crashed to a historic 20th defeat of the season, piling pressure on Arne Slot after another collapse.
It’s heaven for Villa and hell for Liverpool (AP)
Aston Villa booked their place in next season’s Champions League with a thrilling 4-2 win over Liverpool on Friday night, a result that leaves the Reds still nervously looking over their shoulders in the top-four race.
The victory guarantees Villa a return to Europe’s elite competition for just the second time since 1982/83, and continues a remarkable revival under Emery.
At the heart of Villa’s huge night was Ollie Watkins, who struck twice in a ruthless second-half display as Unai Emery’s side overwhelmed Liverpool at Villa Park.
His brace means Watkins has now scored eight Premier League goals against Liverpool — more than he has managed against any other opponent in the competition.
For Liverpool, however, the pressure keeps mounting.
Liverpool’s Historic New Low
Things have gone from bad to historically awful for Liverpool FC under Arne Slot.
After Friday’s chaotic defeat, Slot officially broke the unwanted record for the most defeats suffered by any Liverpool manager in a single season in the club’s history.
The loss to Villa marked Liverpool’s 20th defeat across all competitions this campaign, moving Slot past Rafael Benitez’s previous record of 19.
And the worrying numbers don’t stop there — Liverpool have now conceded 52 goals in the Premier League this season, the most the club has ever shipped in a 38-game Premier League campaign.
Incredibly, only five teams in the division have conceded more: Leeds United (53), Tottenham Hotspur (55), West Ham United (62), Wolves (66), and relegated Burnley (73).
And now, Liverpool’s UCL hopes are suddenly far from secure.
Slot’s side remain fifth, but Bournemouth can move within one point if they beat Manchester City. Liverpool could still mathematically secure qualification this weekend if Bournemouth lose and Brighton fail to beat Leeds, but the pressure is on.
(with agency inputs)
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