Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League as they claimed a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield.
The Reds could have ran away with it after Darwin Nunez opened the scoring early in the first half, but Villa did everything they could to make life hard for their hosts from then on.
However, Villa’s missed chances were ultimately punished late on when Mohamed Salah raced away to clinch the three points and ensure Manchester City’s defeat to Brighton earlier in the day did not go to waste.
How the game unfolded
Liverpool made the stronger start of the two teams in terms of dominating possession, but it was Villa who had the most promising moments, Jacob Ramsey seeing a shot desperately blocked before Leon Bailey headed over a Youri Tielemans cross early doors.
However, it was a moment of pressure from the visitors that ultimately led to them conceding the opener, with Liverpool breaking away after defending a corner and putting in Nunez to round the goalkeeper before finishing.
If that was an unusually composed finish from the Uruguayan, then he was back to himself shortly after, blasting over a similar one-on-one opportunity after being played in by Salah.
That gave Villa encouragement, and they were desperately unlucky not to score from back-to-back corner situations, Amadou Onana forcing a sharp save from Caoimhin Kelleher with a header before Diego Carlos did the same.
Having arguably edged the first half, Villa started the second by creating a golden opportunity, Morgan Rogers collecting a second ball before driving into the box and shooting wide when he might have done better.
Liverpool responded, with Nunez heading an Andy Robertson cross just wide, but they would have to wait until there were 20 minutes remaining for their next chance, which saw Cody Gakpo drive wide after cutting in off the left.
That was because the game had largely descended into a physical battle with neither side on top, a state of play that continued into the final stages.
But Liverpool finally managed to wrap the points up with five minutes remaining, Salah breaking free on the break and making the most of a fortuitous bounce of the ball before finishing coolly.
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – 8/10 – It could have been a different day for Liverpool were it not for two incredible reflex saves in the first half.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6/10 – Forced off early with an apparent hamstring injury.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – 8/10 – A rock at the back for Liverpool, bullying Ollie Watkins out of the game to help secure a deserved clean sheet.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – 7/10 – Not quite as busy as his centre-half partner but didn’t put a foot wrong and played a key role in the opener.
LB: Andy Robertson – 7/10 – Has been criticised for his form of late but looked to have benefited from a rest as he roared up and down the left wing.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch – 7/10 – Liverpool’s most impressive midfielder, hoovering up loose balls and showing off his excellent dribbling skills to work space.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister – 6/10 – Did not win enough 50/50s but kept at it and cut out the loose passes that plagued his first half.
AM: Curtis Jones – 6/10 – Won his battles and barely gave possession away, playing his part in an engrossing midfield battle.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 8/10 – Set up the opener, scored the second – just a typical night’s work for Liverpool’s best forward.
CF: Darwin Nunez – 7/10 – Took his goal well and was a constant threat but perhaps loses a mark for missing a golden opportunity to make it 2-0.
LW: Luis Diaz – 6/10 – Did not have too much of an influence until he was moved to a central position late on.
Substitutes
SUB: Conor Bradley (25 for Alexander-Arnold) – 6/10 – Did well in place of his injured teammate.
SUB: Cody Gakpo (65 for Nunez) – 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 honours even but it is a credit to the Dutchman that his side keep winning.
GK: Emiliano Martinez – 6/10 – Will possibly be disappointed with the two goals, which seemed to go into parts of the net where he would usually make stops.
RB: Ezri Konsa – 7/10 – Liverpool never looked hugely threatening down his side and, while he wasn’t a threat in possession, he was safe.
CB: Diego Carlos – 6/10 – Won plenty of battles and was unlucky not to score with a header in the first half.
CB: Pau Torres – 7/10 – 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 – Did not deal with Salah particularly well but his corner deliveries were deadly and could have won the game on another day.
DM: Youri Tielemans – 7/10 – Always seemed to pick the right pass to get the visitors away on the break whenever there were turnovers.
DM: Amadou Onana -7/10 – Won battle after battle in the centre of the park, helping Villa maintain a foothold in the game throughout.
AM: Morgan Rogers – 4/10 – Did not put himself about as he usually does, was loose in possession, and missed a golden chance early in the second half.
RW: Leon Bailey – 4/10 – Did not influence the game from an attacking perspective and could well have been sent off had Liverpool not finished off the move that led to the opener.
CF: Ollie Watkins – 5/10 – Was expertly marshalled by Konate and barely influenced proceedings as a result.
LW: Jacob Ramsey – 6/10 – Had looked lively before being forced off with an injury right on 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 – Set his team up well enough that they could easily have got something had a few bounces gone their way.
Player of the match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
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