Peter Crouch scored just two minutes from time to salvage a 2-2 draw for Liverpool against Aston Villa.
Late Crouch goal seals point for Liverpool
Peter Crouch scored just two minutes from time to salvage a 2-2 draw for Liverpool against Aston Villa.
Liverpool had taken the lead on 19 minutes when Yossi Benayoun slid in ahead of Martin Laursen to poke the ball home after his initial effort had been saved by Stuart Taylor.
The Reds dominated the rest of the first half and the beginning of the second, but they were made to pay for a series of missed chances as Villa turned the game on its head in the space of two minutes.
Martin O'Neill's side had created nothing until substitute Marlon Harewood drew them level in the 69th minute with a spectacular overhead kick.
Olof Mellberg's volley was then deflected into his own net by Fabio Aurelio and it looked as though Villa would withstand Liverpool's late onslaught until Crouch struck.
Strongest side
Reds boss Rafa Benitez fielded arguably his strongest side against Aston Villa - one of the club's main contenders for fourth spot - in a match which had plenty at stake.
There were six changes from the side that beat Luton in the FA Cup last week. Javier Mascherano was back in central midfield, Jose Reina returned in goal and new signing Martin Skrtel was on the bench.
Aston Villa were without the influential Gareth Barry for the first time in almost four years - the England man missed out with a pelvic injury.
Mellberg returned, while Scott Carson was ineligible under the terms of his loan from Liverpool. Taylor took his place.
As expected there was a high-profile display of support for Benitez from the Kop.
The fans were struggling to focus on the match itself. But they needed too, and fast.
Villa were quick on the break, attacking down the right, and with Gabriel Agbonlahor a constant threat.
Dirk Kuyt's cross presented Benayoun with a volleyed chance that flew over, and Craig Gardner charged down a Harry Kewell drive.
And Liverpool took the lead after 19 minutes. Steven Gerrard and Kuyt set up the close-range chance for Benayoun to net at the second attempt from six yards.
Impressive Gerrard
Villa hit back with accurate, long balls for Agbonlahor and Ashley Young - but Liverpool almost snatched a second goal in the 31st minute.
Again it was the impressive Gerrard, aided by Kuyt, who set up Fernando Torres from 15 yards - but the striker put his effort wide.
John Carew, playing deep, caused plenty of problems with his flick-ons, but Liverpool were defending well, and the ball was quickly shifted to Gerrard, who was dominating midfield.
Watching Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, who will face Liverpool in the Champions League in March, will have seen plenty to concern him in Gerrard's overall play.
Curtis Davies sliced wide of his own goal soon into the second half, before Kuyt wasted a great chance to put Liverpool further ahead.
Mascherano and Gerrard surged up field, exchanging passes, before the ball was laid into Kuyt's path, invitingly, on the right. But the Dutch striker skewed his effort into the Kop.
Torres almost got clear, Taylor saving at his feet, before the Spaniard turned on the edge of the box to fire inches over.
Liverpool were now producing their best spell of the game. Strong in the tackle, supporting and attacking with pace. Alvaro Arbeloa saw one clever chip clear the bar after more impressive play by Mascherano and Gerrard.
To their credit, Villa withstood this pressure and with 24 minutes left sent on striker Harewood for Gardner. His first involvement was a run and cross to set up Carew for an effort saved by Reina.
Harewood stunner
Arbeloa was booked for a foul on Stilian Petrov after 68 minutes, and from the free-kick, Villa were level. Laursen headed the ball back across goal for Harewood to flick into the net.
Liverpool sent on Skrtel for Arbeloa, before Mascherano was booked for a foul on Young.
Villa launched another attack and were ahead when Mellberg's effort from the right was deflected into goal by Aurelio.
But Crouch averted a disastrous result for Benitez when he hooked in right footed from 10 yards after Laursen had failed to clear.
