Key stats
- Mohamed Salah has now equalled Wayne Rooney (276 for Manchester United) for the most goal involvements in the Premier League for a single club (188 goals and 88 assists for Liverpool).
- Liverpool have scored in their last 44 games in the Premier League, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition.
- Aston Villa have failed to score in five of their 10 games, only Nottingham Forest (six) have failed to score more often in the Premier League this season.
Highlights
Analysis
Mohamed Salah scored his 250th goal for Liverpool, his first in six games for the Reds.
Liverpool put in a dominant display throughout against Aston Villa.
Match report
Liverpool found themselves playing under the lights on a Saturday night for the second consecutive week, only this time it was at Anfield where Slot’s men last tasted victory back in September.
Their task at hand was no easy one, however, with the visitors unbeaten in six league games (W4, D2), including a superb win against Manchester City last week.
The home crowd were very nearly silenced inside five minutes when Morgan Rogers started and almost finished a brilliant team move, cannoning a shot off the post after linking up with Ollie Watkins. Both sides looked dangerous in attack, with chances flowing as a result.
Dominik Szoboszlai sent a powerful effort narrowly wide from distance before Andrew Robertson’s shot deflected into Emiliano Martínez’s grasp, while Villa went up the other end and twice called Giorgi Mamardashvili into action.
Matty Cash’s shot from the edge of the box flicked off Virgil van Dijk and needed to be palmed onto the crossbar by the Georgian, before Rogers was denied by the Reds’ stand-in stopper.
Liverpool upped the ante in the final moments of the first half and thought they’d found the opener on 43 minutes, but Hugo Ekitike’s powerful header was chalked off for offside.
But the Anfield crowd were cheering again in stoppage time when a high press prompted Martínez to give the ball away to Mohamed Salah, and the Egyptian made no mistake firing home with his weaker foot to become just the third Liverpool player to score 250 goals for the club.
Unai Emery’s men looked dangerous in the early moments of the second half, with Evann Guessand their most threatening outlet.
Liverpool did not crumble under pressure, however, and instead, the hosts managed to double their lead just before the hour mark.
Again, a high press forced a turnover, allowing Alexis Mac Allister to pick out Ryan Gravenberch, whose deflected effort sailed past Martínez much to the relief of Slot and the home fans.
The Villans threw everything forward in an attempt to turn the game around as Ross Barkley spurned a glorious opportunity after being picked out in the box by Jadon Sancho, but the former Everton man skied his effort from close range.
Liverpool fought off any potential comeback and claimed victory which helps them avoid losing five consecutive league matches for the first time since September 1953, while Villa were beaten in the PL for the first time since August.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Post-match comments
Liverpool goalscorer Mohamed Salah to TNT Sports:
"We've had a few losses in the Premier League and Champions League. I'm glad we are back on track now, and it's a big push before some important games.
"It's a very tricky season for us because we have a few new players, they are very good players but they need time to adapt. We lost some players too. It takes time to adapt and know each other's games, but everything will be fine.
"It's a great feeling to score goals for such a big club, it's something I don't take for granted, I'm so proud and happy about that achievement."
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery to TNT Sports:
"(Liverpool) needed to react and they reacted. In the first 30 minutes we had chances to score. In the last 15 minutes we conceded one goal with the mistake we made. We competed and we were close to score one goal but we didn't get it.
"On the first goal, he added: "I must watch this action because this is our style. Maybe we need to play, trying to take time. Obviously it is more dangerous in our box to play with the personality we do.
"The next steps in next Sunday against Bournemouth, it will be a fantastic game at home in front of our supporters. We will try to build the team and get some players fit and feeling confident as soon as possible."
Liverpool manager Arne Slot to BBC Sport:
"The margins are small every single game - today after five minutes they hit the post - we didn't concede a set piece, which was helpful, but also we got a bit lucky which hasn't happened recently. Our second goal was a defection.
"When they hit the post, that was their biggest chance. The last few weeks, every time that ball went in, now it didn't. Our second goal was a bit of luck which we haven't had in the last few weeks.
"The good thing about being 1-0 or 2-0 up you can control the game a bit better with more possession, but if you are down you have to chase the game and take risks and get counter-attacked.
"I think everyone who was here today felt the importance of the game, the players and fans as well. We showed character and won the game."