“Overall in 90 minutes I think the team played a very competitive match and had a really high commitment for every ball.

“If you want to win here you have to defend well. In the first half we did magnificently but in the second half they had more players higher. Tactically it was different.

“I am very proud of their work. We have the last match against Brighton with Europe in our hands.

“We are working like we wanted at the beginning. I’m very proud of our supporters also, travelling to each match and enjoying with us this moment.

“On Sunday we play at home with them, ready to close the season with a good challenge.”

Unai Emery.

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“Before the game, with their form, we would probably have taken a point.

“But we were 1-0 up for so long and we had chances to kill the game. But a point at Anfield is really good.

“We’re disappointed not to get the three points. When you come to places like this, the first 15 and last 20 we were definitely under [pressure].

“But if you’re going to come to these places and get a result, you have to dig deep and we did that.

“I think if we are going to get a European place we want it to be in our hands. It’s going to be a big, tough game against Brighton who are also fighting for a position.”

Jacob Ramsey.

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“I’m very proud of our work given the challenge we had. Two months ago we were speaking about if we could get to the last match against Brighton at home playing for something important. Now it’s in our hands.

“Today this draw is amazing. In the first half we played in our game plan, being strong – not only defensively, offensively we were trying to build up and breaking their high press.

“We had a penalty, we scored one goal and progressively we were making more metres on the pitch. In the second half we needed to defend more than the first half but we were brilliant.”

He added: “We have to remember our supporters as well because they are travelling away to every match that we are playing.

“The players are taking the demands I am trying to impose for everybody – for me, for the players, for the club.

“To play for a European place this week is a really important step ahead we are doing. Still, we have one week and we are going to enjoy it but practice as well as possible and be very focused.

“We have Tottenham and Brentford behind us now and but we will need to win this match and of course, we will wait for the two matches that Brighton will play, but minimum we can get a conference place and I think to be in Europe is fantastic.”

Unai Emery. Dignity personified.

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“Aston Villa were screwed in the second half and they didn’t know how to deal with it.”

“I think 15 minutes [added time] would have been all right. We have to talk about that.”

Jurgen Klopp. Petulance personified. As the Liverpool manager complains that his side were the beneficiaries of just 19 minutes of added time.

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“You can analyse the 90 mins in different ways and moments. The first half we played very well because to avoid the high pressing is not easy. Play with personality doing it, is not easy. We did it. We were holding out line really well and staying focused.

“We decided first half to go and win the match. The second half they pushed more, we lost our ball possession. We didn’t get good transition to create clear cut chances.

“We had two from McGinn, but they were more in our box and we needed our defence low. To get three points would have been fantastic, but this draw, I knew could happen in one moment. With 10 mins of stoppage time was difficult to keep the side quiet with their fans behind them. But our commitment was fantastic.

“I’m very proud. We had a challenge I challenged the players three months ago when we escaped from the bottom, but not clearly. I was telling them my objective was to progressively get top-10 position and then try to be competitive and try to arrive in the last match against Brighton, maybe playing for something.

“With 7 places available for Europe, we were thinking, if we were competitive away and at home like we were, to challenge it. The players really did it. We are now so motivated now.

“Life is present and the next is the future. Of course, we are really competitive. Today, I’ve played at Anfield before and know how difficult it is. They’ve been in the best moment in the season, playing for the top four. I’m very proud of our work because we prepared the match really focusing on being consistent like we have been. Playing with a personality like we did in the first half. Then, being committed in the second half like we did. Really, the challenge I had with the players for the match today is amazing. They did it.

“Other teams as well want to add to try to get those positions. We are in this idea as well. We have to be optimistic, do our work in our way. This year was not our objective to get a European position. We are going to add this opportunity next week. We escaped from the bottom and this was fantastic. The top 10 position was fantastic and we’re adding to it now. We will prepare this week to try to work every day, enjoying and being motivated for next week. The club is continuing to work and trying to be ambitious for the next years. We have to be very demanding. Then we have to create and build a strong structure in all areas.

“It’s very important for our supporters who are also going to be motivated like us. They’re going to enjoy this week trying to get one European places. It will be fantastic but, of course, playing with my experiences, my proper experiences, we will try to use them next Sunday. But, you know, Brighton are playing amazing football, amazing, they’re being very competitive. I’m going to enjoy today and enjoy the next week preparing the next match and share with the club, players and supporters at Villa Park on Sunday.

“It’s difficult because normally he’ll [Álex Moreno] be injured (for next week). Yesterday, Diego Carlos as well had a small injury. We don’t know if we can get him available for next week. Álex Moreno as well but I think he’ll be more difficult to be ready. It’s a small injury but I don’t think he’ll be available for Sunday.”

Unai Emery.