Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has delivered a brutally honest assessment of his side's latest setback in the race for Champions League qualification, admitting "we cost ourselves a big opportunity" after a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa.

The loss at Villa Park means Liverpool's final home game against Brentford now carries serious weight, rather than being a celebration for departing stars. After a season plagued by defensive errors and wasted chances, Gomez's post-match comments struck a chord with frustrated supporters.

"We cost ourselves a big opportunity today and that sums up our year," Gomez told The Official Liverpool FC Podcast. "With it being in our hands and errors that are avoidable at pivotal points in the game where we could have got momentum."

The England international remained defiant about the bigger picture, adding: "At the end of the day, it's still in our hands. We know the goal remains the same. We just have to do the job next weekend."

There was a flicker of hope when Virgil van Dijk equalized, and Rio Ngumoha even hit the post to suggest a comeback was on. But a costly slip from Dominik Szoboszlai allowed Ollie Watkins to restore Villa's lead, and from that moment, Arne Slot's side looked alarmingly fragile once again.

"It felt we had control," Gomez admitted. "It's frustrating because lapses in concentration are something that's highlighted."

With 52 Premier League goals conceded this season, Liverpool's defensive woes have been a recurring theme. Club legend John Aldridge recently expressed disbelief at how easy opponents have found it to breach the Reds' backline, while Andy Robertson echoed similar frustrations after the Villa defeat.

"We can't sit here and feel sorry for ourselves," Gomez insisted. "We know what we have to do next weekend and we have to beat Brentford at home."

That's the mentality Liverpool need as they prepare for a season-defining final day at Anfield. The margin for error is gone — now it's about delivering when it matters most.