Dean Smith urges Aston Villa to use Liverpool heartbreak as motivation for remainder of Premier League season

Villa looked set to be the first club since January to beat the Reds in the league when they led through Trezeguet’s volley.

But Andy Robertson and Sadio Mane both struck late - the latter deep into stoppage time - as Jurgen Klopp’s side escaped from Villa Park with victory.

Smith wants his players to take out their frustrations on Villa’s forthcoming opponents - starting with next Sunday’s trip to Wolves.

He said: “I want the players to be hurt, reflect and review the lapses of concentration which cost us the game but to be proud of their performance.

“The only way you can improve is by hurting and making sure it doesn't happen again.”

The agonising loss followed a defeat at champions Manchester City a week previously and Smith added: “We've still got zero points - the zero points everyone expected us to get - but we have come out of both matches with a lot of credit. It's the manner of them (Liverpool) scoring so late which is disappointing.”

Saturday’s two late goals means Villa have now conceded seven times in the final 10 minutes of Premier League matches, dropping 10 points in the process.

Yet Smith believes his team, which includes many players still new to the English game, is making progress.

“We have made great strides and we believed we could win the game. The players showed that,” he said.

“People have already compared it to the Arsenal game but that was nothing like that or the performance.

“What we have shown is we can compete with these teams, the next step is beating them.

“You need a bit of luck at times, a few decisions to go your way but also 90-odd minutes of concentration.”