Liverpool go five points clear in the PL standings after Manchester City’s defeat at Brighton.
Salah makes it two and secures victory for Liverpool.
Villa misses opportunities to equalise in the second half.
Kelleher keeps Liverpool ahead with some great saves.
Nunez scores on the counter as Liverpool gets the breakthrough.
Match Report
Liverpool won their 15th game in 17 starts in all competitions as Arne Slot’s team are starting to make a case for being the favorites for the Premier League title. They’ve extended their lead by five points after Manchester City lost to Brighton earlier today.
Darwin Nunez provided the early breakthrough in the 20th minute when an Aston Villa corner was quickly turned over for a counterattack by Liverpool. Van Dijk began the play by setting Salah beautifully away with a fine pass over the halfway line. Bailey got Salah down but the referee played advantage as Nunez stepped up and rounded past Martinez to strike it into the top of the net.
Liverpool had a setback before halftime when Trent Alexander-Arnold went off injured. But they regrouped and played a composed second half to deny Villa an equaliser. Rogers had the best opportunity to equalise when Konate went down and he had a clear shot at the goal. He raced into the box but missed the open far post thus wasting a huge opportunity. Aston Villa’s other big chances were thwarted by some great goalkeeping by Kelleher.
Liverpool punished Villa’s missed opportunities with another counter play goal. Torres went down in the opposition box after an innocuous clash with Gravenberch and Carlos headed the ball straight at Salah. Who noded it forward and set of sprinting towards the Villa goal. He raced into the box and finished it with finesse to secure victory for Liverpool.
Aston Villa are eighth after a fourth loss in a row in all competitions for the first time under Unai Emery. Liverpool stay at the top of the table with a 5-point cushion to Manchester City. The champions will look to regroup after the international break but currently, the belief of having a special season is firmly on Arne Slot’s side.
