Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has explained that Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold's minutes are still being managed after recent injuries with the pair both being withdrawn in the second half of the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

"Jota played as a nine and was involved in a lot of good moments and the first goal," Slot told TNT Sports post-match. "Dom Szoboszlai is in my opinion so important for the team for all the work rate he puts in but also he could have had an assist and a goal.

"For months, Jota almost hasn't been available. He could only play 60 today, same as Trent, and that is why we had to make those substitutions. I would love to keep them in the team but we have to play Sunday and Wednesday again. You saw with Conor Bradley how much of a risk it is. But Jota and Trent played good games."

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Bradley provided Liverpool with an injury scare, though Slot was unable to give much of an update beyond that. "Not that much, although it happened in the sprint," he said. "You never know but if a player goes out, it is never a good sign."

Speaking more generally about the game, Slot was happy with his side's performance if not the result, which leaves Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table. It plays Manchester City on Sunday, while Arsenal, currently second, has West Ham United a day earlier.

"The pressure is always on you if you are Liverpool," Slot said. "It matters where we are in the league table but the pressure is always on if you are Liverpool. We have all the ingredients to achieve success this season. There have been a lot of games this season where I have felt if one team deserved to win it was us.

"You have to play the game as it unfolds and some games play long ball and others want to bring it out from the back. They can come back but if you look at the chances we had to win the game, you can understand that there is one person in the dressing room that feels quite down. I think you know who it is."

Virgil van Dijk left disappointed

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was similarly disappointed not to come away from Villa Park with the three points. Darwin Nunez missed a big chance to put his side 3-2 ahead on the night, blazing over when there was an open goal gaping.

"A bit disappointed but we fight," Van Dijk told TNT Sports. "We had chances to win the game, took a bit of a risk at the end so it got more open at times. We take a point and move on and focus on a big one at the weekend again.

"In possession we did quite well, created good opportunities to score the second. Disappointing to concede from a set-piece. We tried everything and unfortunately it wasn't enough for three points."

Liverpool.com says: Hopefully Bradley is not out for long. As for the result, Liverpool might have got more but could easily have lost too. A point away at Aston Villa, especially under the lights, is not a bad one.