Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League as they secured a hard-fought 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield.
The Reds could have run away after Darwin Núñez opened the scoring early in the first half, but Villa did their best to make life difficult for their hosts from then on.
However, That of the Villa Missed chances were punished in the end as Mohamed Salah ran away to secure all three points and ensure Manchester City’s defeat to Brighton earlier in the day was not wasted.
How the game developed
Liverpool made the stronger start of the two teams in terms of dominating possession, but it was Villa who had the more promising moments, Jacob Ramsey seeing a shot desperately blocked before Leon Bailey headed over a cross from Youri Tielemans in the early hours.
However, it was a moment of pressure from the visitors that eventually saw them concede the opener, with Liverpool breaking away after defending a corner and setting Núñez to round the keeper before finishing.
If that was an uncharacteristically composed finish from the Uruguayan, then he came into his own soon after, making the most of a similar one-on-one opportunity after being played in by salah.
That encouraged Villa, and they were desperately unlucky not to score from corner-back situations, Amadou Onana forcing a strong save from Caoimhin Kelleher with a header before Diego Carlos did the same.
Having overcome the first half, Villa started the second by creating a golden opportunity, Morgan Rogers collecting a second ball before breaking into the box and firing wide when he could have done better.
Liverpool hit back, with Núñez heading in Andy Robertson’s narrowly deflected cross, but they would have to wait until 20 minutes remained for their next chance, which saw Cody Gakpo go wide after cutting down left
This was because the game had largely become a physical battle with neither side on top, a state of play that continued into the closing stages.
But Liverpool finally managed to wrap up the points with five minutes remaining, Salah breaking free on the break and making the most of a fortuitous bounce of the ball before calmly finishing.
GK: Kevin Kelleher – 8/10 – It could have been a different day for Liverpool but for two incredible reflex saves in the first half.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6/10 – Forced out early with an apparent hamstring injury.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – 8/10 – A rock in the back for Liverpool, harassing Ollie Watkins out of the game to help secure a deserved clean sheet.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – 7/10 – Not as busy as his centre-half partner but made no mistake and played a key role in the first goal.
LB: Andy Robertson – 7/10 – He has come under fire for his form of late but looked to have benefited from a break as he roared up and down the left wing.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch – 7/10 – Liverpool’s most impressive midfielder, chasing loose balls and showing off his excellent dribbling skills in the workspace.
DM: Alexis MacAllister – 6/10 – He didn’t win enough 50/50s, but he held his own and cut off the loose passes that plagued his first half.
AM: Curtis Jones – 6/10 – He won his battles and barely conceded possession, playing his part in a gripping midfield battle.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 8/10 – He set up the first goal, scored the second, just a typical night’s work for Liverpool’s best striker.
CF: Darwin Núñez – 7/10 – He carried his goal well and was a constant threat but perhaps misses a mark to miss a golden opportunity to make it 2-0.
LW: Luis Diaz – 6/10 – He didn’t have much influence until he was later moved to a central position.
Substitutes
SUB: Conor Bradley (25 for Alexander-Arnold) – 6/10 – He did well in place of his injured teammate.
SUB: Cody Steel (65 for Núñez) – 6/10
SUB: Dominik Szoboszlai (65 for Jones) – 6/10
SUB: Wataru Endo (85 for Mac Allister) – N/A
Subs not used: Vitezslav Jaros, Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton.
manager
Arne Slot – 7/10 – The tactical battle probably ended with the honors, but it’s a credit to the Dutchman that his team kept winning.
GK: Emiliano Martínez – 6/10 – He will possibly be disappointed with both goals, which seemed to go into parts of the net where he would normally make saves.
RB: Ezri Konsa – 7/10 – Liverpool never looked much of a threat in their side and although they weren’t a threat in possession, they were safe.
CB: Diego Carlos – 6/10 – He won many battles and was unlucky not to score with a header in the first half.
CB: Pau Torres – 7/10 – He seemed to be in the right place at the right time on numerous occasions and was composed on the ball.
LB: Lucas Digne – 6/10 – Salah wasn’t dealt with particularly well, but his corner kicks were deadly and could have won the game on another day.
DM: Youri Tielemans – 7/10 – He always seemed to pick the right pass to put the visitors away on the break whenever there were turnovers.
DM: Amadou Onana -7/10 – He won battle after battle in the center of the park, helping Villa stay in the game.
AM: Morgan Rogers – 4/10 – He didn’t set up like he usually does, lost possession and missed a golden opportunity early in the second half.
RW: Leon Bailey – 4/10 – He didn’t influence the game from an attacking perspective and could have been sent off had Liverpool not finished the play that led to the first goal.
CF: Ollie Watkins – 5/10 – It was expertly organized by Konate and as a result barely influenced the proceedings.
LW: Jacob Ramsey – 6/10 – He had looked in good spirits before being sent off with an injury just at half-time.
Substitutes
SUB: John McGinn (45 for Ramsey) – 7/10 – One of Aston Villa’s most threatening players in the second half.
SUB: Jhon Duran (65 for Watkins) – 6/10
SUB: Jaden Philogene (65 for Bailey) – 6/10
SUB: Ian Maatsen (74 for Digne) – N/A
SUB: Boubacar Kamara (74 for Onana) – N/A
Subs not used: Robin Olsen, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, Lamare Bogarde.
manager
Unai Emery – 7/10 – They set up their team well enough that they could easily have gotten something if they had made a few bounces.
