On a sun-drenched Anfield afternoon, Liverpool's Champions League dream all but ended. And while it wasn't really how the script was supposed to play out, it just had to be Roberto Firmino who at least saved the day.
What was supposed to be a suitable prelude to the roaring send-off that Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain so richly deserve, fell flat as Jurgen Klopp's side were held to a 1-1 draw in the penultimate game of a difficult campaign that will now only return them Europa League football, barring a shock collapse from either Manchester United or Newcastle. Both now need just one point from their final two games.
Instead, Aston Villa proved themselves to be the chief spoilers and Anfield was subjected to a day that was largely made up of frustration and angst. That was until the 89th minute, at least, when Firmino scored his 110th and likely final goal of a decorated, trophy-laden and memory-filled eight years on Merseyside. There won't be another like him, that is for sure.
