BBC Football Daily

The Anfield Wrap Sports journalist Mo Stewart on Darwin Nunez: "I think he knows the narrative around him, and I think that's part of it, it almost feels like he's playing for his Liverpool career. He knows that he needs to have at least one or two big moments, big contributions if he wants to stay here. I think he's also aware of the fact that when something goes against him at the moment, whereas the fanbase within the stadium are cheering his name sometimes even when he does things that don't deserve it, the fanbase outside of the stadium feels that pretty much, patience has run out.

Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

With the game at Villa Park level, Liverpool had a glorious chance to put themselves 3-2 ahead.

The opportunity fell to substitute Darwin Nunez, who looked certain to score after being played in by Dominik Szoboszlai.

Unfortunately for the travelling fans, the Uruguayan's effort blazed over from five yards out, leaving the majority of the stadium stunned.

"If you can look at the chances we had in the second half, there is one player in the dressing who feels quite down. You know who it is," boss Arne Slot told TNT Sport.

Image source, Getty Images

You will have seen from the table that Liverpool have moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, courtesy of a thrilling 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

But was that a point gained or two dropped? Make your choice in our poll at the top of this page.

Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins cancelled out Mohamed Salah's 29th-minute opener, before Trent Alexander-Arnold levelled 16 minutes after the break.

Having extended their lead over second-placed Arsenal, Arne Slot's side go to Manchester City on Sunday in what could now be a defining week in the title race.

The Gunners host West Ham on Saturday knowing victory, and a defeat for Liverpool at Etihad Stadium, would put them within striking distance of the leaders with a game in hand.

Villa, with Marcus Rashford starting for the first time, remain in ninth place and five points adrift of the top four.

Now that is a brilliant segue, Steve. Proper The Premiership Years stuff.

Joe and Craig may have been struggling with down votes in February, but it was thumbs up for Arne Slot as Liverpool moved eight points clear with a point at Aston Villa.

Haha, very good, Chris.

And with that, I think it's time to switch our focus to reaction to Aston Villa's draw with Liverpool.

Arne Slot has a press conference at 10:30 GMT today, by the way.

If you are going to get yourself sent off, then this must be one of the worst ways to go - Theo Hernandez picked up a second yellow card for this dive as the AC Milan defender did his best to win a penalty in their defeat to Feyenoord...

When you're a former Premier League winner but forget you no longer wear studs...

After some laughs this morning? This vid is worth a watch.

If you missed this week's Champions League action, then don't forget you can catch up via Match of the Day, which is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

Alternatively, you can stick with us for clips of the best moments.

Here's some of what you missed from Tuesday's ties, starting with a sensational strike from Club Brugge's Ferran Jutgla to complete a comprehensive victory over Atalanta...

Atalanta's 5-2 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge was rounded off by a complete meltdown from captain Rafael Toloi...

Atalanta's Italian rivals AC Milan also fell to a shock defeat against Feyenoord, but at least their fans were treated to some silky skills by Portugal winger Rafael Leao...

You can watch the Champions League last-16 draw on the BBC Sport website and app on Friday from 11:00 GMT, and follow our live text coverage.

We'll also have updates from the Europa League (12:00) and Conference League (13:00) draws.

I can point to all the expected engagement rates data I want, but what we're really after is results.

And you've absolutely smashed it when it comes to thumbs up and thumbs down, Tom.

My reply, well, it's another uninspired display. Maybe I really have lost the fans.

I feel like a manager who's done really well to get a team promoted, but is being exposed at a higher level.

Bournemouth fans, are you daring to dream yet?

As it stands, the Cherries, who are fifth in the Premier League table, would be entered into the Champions League next season.

That could all change if the Premier League's Uefa coefficient ranking drops, but the English top flight looks to be on course to be given five qualifying places in next season's Champions League.

So the question is, can Bournemouth hang on to fifth place?

Andoni Iraola's side will have to fend off some serious competition, with a stack of teams - realistically down to Brighton in 10th - lining up to challenge them.

The answer to that question is...more than likely.

Two leagues will be rewarded with an extra spot in the Champions League next term based on performance in Europe this season.

At present, the Premier League is in the driving seat with six of its seven teams reaching the last 16 across all three Uefa competitions.

That gives them a Uefa coefficient ranking of 106.6 points.

Manchester City's defeat to Real Madrid is the only blot on the landscape for England, with Spain in second narrowly closing the gap on 93.2 points.

Paul Robinson
Former Blackburn goalkeeper on Football Daily podcast

They are miles off it. They really are. We have seen them lose games in the Premier League that we wouldn't expect them to lose but if we look in the Champions League, losing to Sporting Lisbon 4-1, the Juventus loss, the way they were depilated at PSG. There has been signs of results coming back into the league but I think tonight was a really bad highlight of all the flaws they have.

Thanks for getting in touch, Tom.

I'm still waiting for the Ballon d'Or team to retroactively make Robert Lewandowski the 2019-20 winner.

And, just to present the flip side, I think plenty of fans do give at least some of a monkeys (maybe a macaque's worth?).

The day after the last ceremony, which Rodri won, we had so many Get Involveds and takes from you guys. There was definitely an interest.