Sadio Mane scored twice as Liverpool eased past a youthful Aston Villa side 4-1. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak at the club, Aston Villa fielded a side full of U-23 and U-18 players. Manager Dean Smith was not on the sidelines, while Liverpool also rested some regulars for the game.
Liverpool’s side had featured Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in their squad. And shortly after the kickoff from a Curtis Jones cross, the Senegal striker led his team in front. Villa held firm for the remainder of the first half. Liverpool dominated possession against their youthful opponents. And leveled the score shortly before the break with a classy finish from Louie Barry.
Georginio Wijnaldum fired past Akos Onodi from the top of the area. However, Mane headed in another three minutes later, Liverpool retook firm control of the match on the hour. With back-to-back goals, Liverpool were now ahead. After Xherdan Shaqiri set up with a pass into the center of the box, Salah then extended the visitors’ lead. Liverpool had three goals lead with a fast turn and strike to beat Onodi.
Liverpool will await the results of the rest of the weekend’s third-round ties to determine who they’ll face when FA Cup play resumes on the weekend of Jan. 23.
