Sadio Mane has scored nine goals in 10 games against Aston VillaLiverpool maintained the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City as they survived an early scare to come from behind and win at Aston Villa.
Jurgen Klopp's side suffered a shock after only three minutes when Douglas Luiz bundled home after Liverpool keeper Alisson failed to hold his header.
Liverpool were on terms within three minutes when Joel Matip scored following a goalmouth scramble and the sides then exchanged chances before Sadio Mane put the visitors ahead with a superb angled header from Luis Diaz's cross in the 65th minute.
The win means Liverpool now lie second only on goal difference before City's visit to Wolves on Wednesday.
Former Liverpool striker Danny Ings wasted opportunities to equalise and inflict a blow to his old club's hopes of winning a historic quadruple - although the Reds did suffer an injury setback when influential midfielder Fabinho went off in the first half with a hamstring problem that must make him doubtful for Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea.
Liverpool pass stern Villa test
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made five changes from the side that drew with Spurs at Anfield on Saturday, resting tired legs and freshening things up with Saturday's Wembley showpiece in mind.
It was a ploy that worked in the end, although Liverpool were set back on their heels when they were punished for a slow start as Villa went ahead.
Liverpool showed their character and the threat they carry to reply instantly and, while this was not a particularly assured performance, the only thing that matters at this stage is the final result, and this was a case of job done.
The injury to Fabinho will be a serious worry to Klopp with FA Cup and Champions League finals on the horizon but he will hope the Brazilian's swift removal in the first half will limit the damage.
Once again January signing Diaz was a key figure, a danger all night and the provider of the cross that brought Mane's decisive header. The Colombian's signing has proved to be a masterstroke.
Now the scenery switches to Molineux on Wednesday, where leaders City face Wolves, who still have European aspirations of their own.
Pep Guardiola's side still have that advantage on goal difference but Liverpool's win at least ensures they stay right on Manchester City's shoulders as the season reaches its climax.
Gerrard with work to do
Aston Villa will finish the season in a comfortable mid-table position but so much of this term has been about manager Steven Gerrard discovering what he has at his disposal then laying the groundwork for next season.
He has talent in the shape of Emiliano Buendia but big decisions remain about whether he will strengthen in defence - where captain Tyrone Mings still looks suspect - and on the possibility of a permanent deal for his former Liverpool colleague Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian, on loan from Barcelona, only showed his ability in flashes here and it was clear the Villa fans felt more of a surge of hope when he was replaced by Buendia.
Gerrard certainly has something to work with but a lot needs to be done and he is a driven personality who will not want to cruise along in mid-table.
Villa, and Ings in particular, had plenty of opportunities to take advantage of some uncharacteristic uncertainty in the visitors' defence, with keeper Alisson fortunate to get away with one or two moments of poor judgement - although he then made a crucial save from the striker when he broke clear with a chance to equalise.
The end of the season will be the end of Gerrard's fact-finding mission and the serious reconstruction will begin at Villa Park.
Player of the match
DíazLuis Díaz
Line-ups
Aston Villa
Formation 4-3-1-2
1Martínez
2Cash4Konsa5Mings27Digne
6Douglas Luiz19Nakamba23Coutinho
7McGinn
11Watkins20Ings
1Martínez2Cash4Konsa5Mings27Digne6Douglas Luiz19NakambaSubstituted forChukwuemekaat 62'minutes23CoutinhoSubstituted forBuendíaat 70'minutes7McGinn11WatkinsSubstituted forTraoréat 81'minutes20IngsSubstitutes
8Sanson10Buendía15Traoré16Chambers18Young25Olsen33Chukwuemeka45Chrisene47IroegbunamLiverpool
Formation 4-3-3
1Alisson
66Alexander-Arnold32Matip4van Dijk21Tsimikas
8Keïta3Fabinho17Jones
23Díaz10Mané20Jota
1Alisson66Alexander-Arnold32Matip4van Dijk21Tsimikas8Keïta3FabinhoSubstituted forHendersonat 30'minutes17JonesSubstituted forThiago Alcántaraat 62'minutes23DíazSubstituted forSalahat 72'minutes10Mané20JotaSubstitutes
5Konaté6Thiago Alcántara7Milner9Firmino11Salah12Gomez14Henderson27Origi62KelleherReferee:Jonathan MossAttendance:41,919Live Text
Match ends, Aston Villa 1, Liverpool 2.
Second Half ends, Aston Villa 1, Liverpool 2.
Foul by Sadio Mané (Liverpool).
Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Douglas Luiz with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
Attempt missed. Matthew Cash (Aston Villa) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Emiliano Buendía.
Foul by Jordan Henderson (Liverpool).
Carney Chukwuemeka (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sadio Mané (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa).
Offside, Aston Villa. Emiliano Buendía tries a through ball, but Danny Ings is caught offside.
Attempt saved. Danny Ings (Aston Villa) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Matthew Cash.
Attempt missed. Naby Keïta (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Matthew Cash.
Substitution, Aston Villa. Bertrand Traoré replaces Ollie Watkins.
Foul by Sadio Mané (Liverpool).
Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Thiago (Liverpool).
Carney Chukwuemeka (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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