Liverpool got goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch while Giorgi Mamardashvil garnered a clean sheet as the Reds snapped a four-game EPL losing streak with a big 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
First Half
Aston Villa fired a warning shot off the post in the fifth minute. Dominik Szoboszlai just put a shot wide in the 15th minute as Liverpool settled into the game. Giorgi Mamardashvili made a pair of saves during the next stretch before Szboszlai stole the ball, but he hit the resulting shot right at the keeper.
Cody Gakpo earned a free kick near the half-hour mark, but Szoboszlai's attempt was saved. Ibrihima Konate's free kick went wide in the 38th minute. Liverpool continued to keep the pressure on, and Hugo Ekitiké appeared to have scored on a header late in the half. It was chalked off on VAR review to leaving the match scoreless. Mohamed Salah responded with a goal in first-half stoppage time as he pounced on a bad pass by the goalie and calmly finished as Liverpool led 1-0 at the break.
Second Half
Gakpo had a good chance to add a goal early in the second half, but he was caught offside. Mamardashvil came away with a save to keep Liverpool in the lead 1-0 in the 55th minute.
Liverpool doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Ryan Gravenberch fired in a shot from the top of the box. The Reds continued to generate chances with high pressure, but they could not quite get the goal to put the game away just yet.
However, the Reds clamped down on possession and did not give Aston Villa many chances over the final 20 minutes. Aston Villa earned a corner in the 70th minute, but it was cleared. The visitors skied a shot in the 78th minute. Neither created many good chances over the final 10 minutes as Liverpool took the well-deserved and much-needed win 2-0.
Moving Up The Table
Liverpool began the day 7th on the table and now, after the big victory, they jumped all the way to third. That's closer to where fans expect to see the Reds in the standings. They are still 7 points back of Arsenal for the lead, but it feels like Liverpool is back in it.
Salah's Goal & Other Landmarks
With Salah's goal in first-half stoppage time, he has now scored 250 goals for Liverpool. He is just the third player in club history to do so, joining Roger Hunt and Ian Rush on the prestigious list. Arne Slot also tied Kenny Dalglish for the fastest Liverpool boss to reach 100 points in 48 EPL matches.
Salah Speaks
Normally, this is where I include a word from Slot, but this time, why not here from the Egyptian King himself?
"We had a few losses in the Premier League and Champions League, but I'm glad we start to come back on track now,” Salah. "It's a good plus before very important games against [Real] Madrid and City. It's a very important win for us. "We had a few new players, very good signings, but they need time to adapt to the old team. And we lost a few good players as well. We just need time to adapt and know each other's games, and I think we'll be fine."
LFC Globe Verdict
That's more like it. This looked like vintage Liverpool. Get a couple of goals, post a clean sheet and dominate the opponent. I think this is Liverpool's most complete game of the year. It's hard to point to any mistakes, but I'm sure Slot will find some, as good coaches are always looking to improve. The key is for this good play to carry over to the next match.
Man Of The Match
Even though Salah scored a big goal, I think Szoboszlai deserves it more. He controlled the pitch all night, dishing off to others, creating for others, while putting shots on frame as well. It was a proper shift.
What's Next
European powers collide when the Reds host Real Madrid in Champions League action on November 4th.
Goals
Liverpool
- Mohamed Salah 45+
- Ryan Gravenberch 58
Aston Villa
-NONE-
Substitutes
Liverpool
- Florian Wirtz for Hugo Ekitike 77'
Aston Villa
- Donyell Malen for Evann Guessand 59'
- Ross Barkley for John McGinn 59'
- Jadon Sancho for Ollie Watkins 74'
- Tyrone Mings for Pau Torres 74'
- Ian Matsen for Lucas Ding 75