Joe Gomez has admitted Liverpool were their own worst enemies after a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Friday night, a result that leaves the Reds' Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.
The defender, who started at right-back, acknowledged that avoidable errors at critical moments derailed their performance. Virgil van Dijk had cancelled out Morgan Rogers’ opener, but Ollie Watkins struck twice and John McGinn added a stunning fourth before Van Dijk netted a late consolation.
“We cost ourselves a big opportunity today,” Gomez told LFCTV. “We know that. It sums up our year, with it being in our hands and errors that are avoidable at pivotal points in the game where we could have got momentum.”
The result leaves Arne Slot’s side needing a win at home to Brentford next Sunday to secure a top-four finish, with Gomez insisting the target remains unchanged. “It’s still in our hands, the goal remains the same. We’ve just got to do the job next week now,” he said.
Gomez highlighted a lack of concentration as a key issue, particularly from set-pieces, which Villa exploited. “It’s frustrating because it’s lapses in concentration. We knew they’re great at set-pieces, and we had to be focused,” he added. “It’s fine margins in the Premier League.”
Looking ahead, the defender called for unity during a long week of preparation, with injuries mounting. “We’ve got to band together. We know we have to give the supporters something to support in how we play. Hopefully we end the season on a positive note,” he concluded.
