Ollie Watkins rubs salt into Liverpool wounds with 'disjointed' admission on Reds defending

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SportFootballLiverpool FCThe Aston Villa forward scored twice as his side beat the Reds 4-2 to secure Champions League football next seasonAston Villa's Ollie Watkins admitted he relishes playing against Liverpool after the England forward's brace helped down the Reds at Villa Park.Watkins struck twice in the second half as Villa overran the Reds to win 4-2 and secure a spot in next season's Champions League, leaving Liverpool sweating on their own position in the competition in the process.His two goals took Watkins' tally to eight in 12 appearances against Liverpool, and he has only scored more against Brighton and Hove Albion (nine in 11).Reflecting on why he enjoys playing the Reds, he told Sky Sports: "Liverpool play a high line and don't play offside so they're disjointed at the back and I feel like there's a lot of space for me to run into."No disrespect to them, the centre backs are world class but I spot space and opportunities. I like to run in behind.READ MORE: National media react to Liverpool defeat at Aston Villa as Arne Slot future 'intolerable'READ MORE: Joe Gomez makes brutally honest admission after Liverpool loss to Aston Villa - 'We know that'"Just before the (first) goal, I was disappointed because I went offside, they play such a high line.

I shouldn't be offside in that position but to grab that goal a minute later, me and Morgan [Rogers] have a great connection."Villa face Freiburg in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, and on his current form Watkins added: "I had a slow start to the season, picking up a few niggles on international duty and then being left out of the England squad."I think it gave me that fire in my belly to come back and prove to people what I can do. A lot of people had written me off this season and I use that as motivation to show them that I can be back to my best - scoring and helping the team.

I think I've showed that for the last few games."I'm taking each game as it comes. All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageChoose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCAston Villa FC