Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League after coming from behind to beat Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Villa opened the scoring in the third minute of the game thanks to Douglas Luiz’s close-range finish. But Joel Matip got Liverpool back into the game when he converted after Virgil van Dijk’s shot.
And it was Mane who provided the Reds with the winner to keep their title hopes alive when he headed home Luis Diaz’s cross on 65 minutes. Below is a look at how the national media reported on the game...
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'Liverpool are one of the most determined teams in the country'
Martin Samuel of the Daily Mail wrote: “Maybe it is because we live in an age of conspiracy theories and conspiracy theorists, but it seems this time of year, every year, there is a game in which a manager, or a club, is expected to do an old pal a favour.
“This season, it is Steven Gerrard and Aston Villa. Apparently, he would roll over and let Liverpool win, then marshall a superhuman effort to defeat Manchester City on the final day of the season, thereby delivering the title to Anfield.
“So it must have come as quite a surprise to the tin foil hat brigade when Gerrard's Villa took the lead after three minutes. A shock, too, when they kept pressing, kept trying to score a second, in what was a cracking, end to end match.
“Their lead had lasted all of three minutes, of course, but that is because Liverpool are one of the most determined teams in the country, not because Gerrard was imploring his players to go easy, or passing notes to his old boss Klopp on how to beat his team.
“English football isn't like that. Plus, if Gerrard wants to be Liverpool manager one day he needs milestones in his career, results and performances that catch the eye. A tame display was no use to him here.
“ Liverpool won, but they will have left impressed with what they saw from a Gerrard team. And they won because that is what they do against the weaker teams this season.
“This is the 19th game Klopp's team has played against opponents who were in the bottom half of the table: and they have won all 19.”
'Virgil van Dijk was imperious in the second half'
Henry Winter of The Times wrote: “Liverpool absolutely refuse to give up the chase. They fell behind here, were constantly tested by Steven Gerrard’s fired-up Aston Villa, but fought back to go level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
“City remain favourites, even more so if they prevail at Molineux tonight, but Liverpool are determined to keep the pressure on. Trent Alexander-Arnold embodied their resolute mentality, passing expertly short and long, and making a couple of important blocks. Virgil van Dijk was imperious in the second half, beyond a brief slip when Philippe Coutinho ran at him, and the otherwise commanding Dutchman twice closed down the dangerous Danny Ings late on.
“Villa ultimately fell to Sadio Mané ’s second-half winner but the Holte End loved the endeavour of Gerrard’s side. Matty Cash and Lucas Digne kept attacking down the flanks, Ings was a constant threat, and the noise from their fans was unstinting, even in eventual defeat.
“All the suggestions that Gerrard would go easy on his old team, the side he has always supported, were quickly shown up as the nonsense they were. As if such a proud professional as Gerrard would allow his players to ease up. There is also an irritation within Villa Park over frequent questions about Gerrard one day joining Liverpool. At least, Jürgen Klopp’s contract extension has lessened those.
“Gerrard is committed to Villa, and building something strong here, galvanising the whole place and this famous old stadium shook with belief and defiance. The Holte End rarely paused in its vocal backing of the team, and frequent flag-waving.”
'Huge moment in title race as Klopp gives extra gusto after win'
John Cross of the Daily Mirror wrote : “The Jurgen Klopp fist pump towards the travelling Liverpool fans at the final whistle was delivered with extra gusto.
“This was a huge moment in the title race, a game where Klopp played a high risk strategy but still ended up with a victory which puts the pressure back on Manchester City. Sadio Mane’s wonderful piece of skill, a sensational improvised header to seal victory midway through the second half, means Liverpool are back level on points with City.
“City boss Pep Guardiola has a game in hand, superior goal difference but they must go to Wolves on Wednesday night and win. But whatever happens now, this brilliant, thrilling and unmissable title race will go into the final week of the season. Klopp rested and rotated, Liverpool have Saturday’s FA Cup final in their sights as they still chase down the second trophy of the season in their unlikely push for quadruple."
'Liverpool deserved win as Klopp's hug for Mane speaks volumes'
David Hynter of the Guardian wrote: “Jürgen Klopp had performed his triple fist pump in front of the travelling Liverpool support. The manager’s pulse was still racing but the emotion was elation now – perhaps a bit of relief – rather than high stress. And then, as he prepared to disappear off down the tunnel, he glimpsed his match-winner.
“Sadio Mané had operated largely on the fringes. The striker had flashed one header wide and seen another effort pulled back for offside against Luis Díaz. But on 65 minutes, Mané sensed his opportunity. And how he made it count. On current form, you can only keep him out for so long.
“It was Díaz up the left, teasing Tyrone Mings before crossing, but the goal that settled this high-octane game and thrilled the entire nation (only joking, Pep) was all about the movement and ingenuity of Mané. He ghosted into space before shaping his body to fashion the power in the header. Emiliano Martínez had no chance.
“Nor did Mané when Klopp got hold of him in the victory celebrations. There was a big bearhug before Klopp fixed him in a headlock, manhandling him playfully from the scene. Mané had seen a late effort cleared from in front of the line by Matty Cash but his eighth goal in 11 games proved the difference.
“Liverpool deserved the win that returns the pressure on to Manchester City ahead of the Premier League leaders’ visit to Wolves on Wednesday night, although it was not easy.”
'Now comes the other bit for Klopp'
Paul Gorst of the Liverpool ECHO wrote: "The celebrations from the Liverpool players - and the away end they stood in front of at full-time - said it all. Jurgen Klopp's white flags remain below deck. There will be no surrendering to Manchester City yet. Not here.
"An exhausted, elated set of players soaked up the applause from the few thousand followers stashed away in the far corner of Villa Park as they recorded a big three points that took them level at the summit once more.
"If all that is left for Liverpool to do is win and pray where their title hopes are concerned, then the first part of that directive was achieved here at Villa Park.
"Now comes the other bit for Klopp as he prepares to go on bended knee to the deities of English football, cap in hand, asking - praying - for a City falter.
"This most hard-fought of 2-1 wins at Villa Park again takes them level on points with their great rivals. Once more, the pressure is on the current champions to deliver, this time in the more difficult surroundings of Molineux on Wednesday night.
"Liverpool know as well as anyone this season how difficult it can be to break down Bruno Lage's Wolves in front of their own support and Klopp must hope against hope they will prove to be just as stubborn."
