Premier League leaders Liverpool went five points clear at the top of the table as they beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Anfield on Saturday night. Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah were the goal scorers for the Reds as they continued their excellent start to the season.
Villa gave Liverpool a decent fight, but their vulnerability to counter attacks on attacking set pieces proved to be their undoing on the night. LFC’s first goal came on 20 minutes- Youri Tielemans’ corner was unsatisfactory and Liverpool pounced. Villa were caught on the counter, and although Leon Bailey brought down Salah in a controversial last-man tackle, Nunez was on hand to slot home and make it 1-0.
Villa had their chances- Onana’s header was tipped over by Kelleher before the interval and Rogers missed a fine opportunity just after half time following a rare mistake from Ibrahima Konate.
Liverpool had similar counter-attacking opportunities from Villa corners in the 32nd and 80th minutes, but didn’t make them count. They finally sealed the game in the 84th minute- this time from a Villa attacking throw. Diego Carlos was guilty of some terrible defending on the half-way line, and Mo Salah duly made it 2-0 to the Reds.
Arne Slot’s men will now play Southampton after the international break.
