Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Anfield to capitalise on Manchester City’s defeat at Brighton and move five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Buoyed by City’s slip, Darwin Nunez’s first-half goal put Arne Slot’s side on course for victory amid an excitable atmosphere and, though Villa played their part in an entertaining contest, Mohamed Salah’s breakaway goal sealed the points late on.
The victory, a 15th in 17 games for Liverpool in all competitions, extends their lead at the top and offers hope that Slot’s first season could prove to be a spectacular one.
Villa are eighth after a fourth loss in a row in all competitions for the first time under Unai Emery.
How Liverpool had the edge on Villa
Villa’s confidence has taken a hit of late but they did make a promising start at Anfield, Jacob Ramsey having a shot blocked before Leon Bailey headed over. Ollie Watkins wanted a penalty when seemingly nudged over by Ibrahima Konate inside the box.
But Liverpool punished Emery’s side on the counter-attack, Virgil van Dijk of all people running free following a Villa corner before sending Salah clear. The Egyptian tussled with Bailey, but the ball reached Nunez all the same, finishing high into the net.
Villa’s set-piece coach Austin MacPhee has received plenty of praise but Liverpool almost scored from another corner for the away side, only for Nunez to blaze over when one-on-one once more. Those fast breaks remain a fearsome feature of the Reds’ play.
It was the difference because while Morgan Rogers spurned a good opening early in the second half and Villa were chasing an equaliser late into the game, Salah made no mistake when breaking clear to end any hope of a comeback – to Anfield’s delight.
It was not the perfect performance from Slot’s side, not the perfect night either with Trent Alexander-Arnold going off injured before the interval, but there is a momentum to Liverpool’s season that Arsenal and Man City lack. The force is with them right now.
City might be expected to regroup during the international break, but that five-point lead brings belief. Maybe it will not need north of 90 points to claim this particular Premier League title. If so, 28 from 11 puts Liverpool ahead of the game. Anfield is abuzz again.
Slot: Not a good sign on Trent
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Liverpool boss Arne Slot provides an update on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury
Speaking in the press conference after the game, Slot discussed the injury to Alexander-Arnold that saw the player withdrawn in the first half.
“It is difficult to say how serious it is, but it’s always serious if a player goes out in the first half, not because I didn’t like him, but because he asked for it himself. He didn’t ask for it because he was tired, he asked for it because he got something,” said Slot.
“That is first of all not a good sign, but it’s always difficult so close after the game to tell you exactly what it is. But we have to wait and see. I would be surprised if we would see him playing for the England national team this week, but hopefully he can.”
Emery: It was a clear penalty
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was disappointed with VAR after they failed to recognise what he thought was a penalty against Liverpool
Speaking in the press conference, Emery felt Aston Villa should have had a penalty when Conor Bradley pulled the shirt of Pau Torres inside the 18-yard box. The incident was checked by VAR but the on-field decision of the referee was not overturned.
“With VAR, the action was clearly a penalty because he pulled shirt of Pau Torres. I know in Europe this is a penalty but here in England they want to use VAR… I don’t know exactly. Because in this situation the decision was clear.
“I always accept the decisions of the referees but for me it was a clear penalty. And of course, it was a very important moment in the game. If we have the chance to shoot a penalty, maybe the result is different. I accept the decision but I do not agree.”
