What the Liverpool away end did at Villa Park spoke volumes and two players deserve better

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Ian Doyle with the big talking points after Liverpool lost 4-2 at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Friday nightIt was the moment that perhaps encapsulated Liverpool’s season and ultimately exposed the shortcoming that has lingered throughout this dismal campaign.And should the now very real fear of the Reds failing to achieve the bare minimum of Champions League qualification be realised, it is in danger of being deemed the final, devastating turning point.With Arne Slot’s side having deservedly dragged themselves level here at Villa Park, there appeared no threat when, five minutes later, Dominik Szoboszlai received a throw-in from Milos Kerkez inside his own half.But one unfortunate slip later and Morgan Rogers was invited to dance through and set up Ollie Watkins to regain a lead Villa never again looked like relinquishing.READ MORE: Liverpool are giving themselves big issue with Arne Slot stance - this isn't good enoughNo consolation to Szoboszlai that such things can happen to even the very best players, although that it should have been to Liverpool’s stellar performer this season seemed a touch unfair.However, there was absolutely no excuse for the subsequent reaction from the collective Reds team who, for the umpteenth time this season, folded in desperate fashion in the wake of a piece of ill fortune.There are myriad reasons. But the fight and heart has been drained out of this Liverpool squad after a campaign of endless setbacks, many of which have been entirely self-inflicted.Certainly, the strong mentality, character and unshakeable belief that became the calling card of the Reds for much of the past decade is no more.This is a meek, weak-minded Liverpool no longer capable of rolling with the punches.

This is Liverpool.One game remains for the Reds to salvage something tangible from this campaign. But for a growing number, it may be too late.The next few weeks are going to go a long way to shaping the future of Liverpool for years to come.Ngumoha and Van Dijk deserve betterRio Ngumoha hadn’t even kicked a ball here and he already found himself in exalted company.

Make no mistake, Ngumoha is now a fully-fledged option for the left side of the Liverpool attack.At the other end of the scale, this was a 54th start of the season in all competitions for Virgil van Dijk who, aged 34 years 311 days, is the oldest Liverpool player ever to start so many games in a season.The Dutchman, one first-half moment up against Watkins aside, did well defensively and his aerial prowess was important at both ends of the field, not least when twice heading in Szoboszlai deliveries. Both he and Ngumoha deserved better.Slot’s unwanted recordsSo the records continue to rack up under Slot And very few of them are worth shouting from the rooftops.The concession of another four goals - the first time they have leaked that many in a league game under the Dutchman - means the Reds have now let in 52 goals, beating their previous worst tally of 50 in 2013/14 and 2015/16.They have also conceded a whopping 77 goals in all competitions, their highest number since allowing 79 in 1992/93.Aston Villa boss Unai Emery’s first Premier League win over Liverpool at the 11th attempt means the Reds have now won only one and lost 11 of the 14 league games this season in which they have leaked the first goal.And Slot’s men have lost 19 times in all this campaign, which doesn’t include the Community Shield in which they were ultimately defeated in a penalty shoot-out.In retrospect, that Wembley loss was a sign of things to come for Liverpool this term.