Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Anfield to capitalise on Manchester Metropolis’s defeat at Brighton and transfer 5 factors clear on the high of the Premier League desk.
Buoyed by Metropolis’s slip, Darwin Nunez’s first-half objective put Arne Slot’s facet on the right track for victory amid an excitable environment and, although Villa performed their half in an entertaining contest, Mohamed Salah’s breakaway objective sealed the factors late on.
The victory, a fifteenth in 17 video games for Liverpool in all competitions, extends their lead on the high and presents hope that Slot’s first season may show to be a spectacular one.
Villa are eighth after a fourth loss in a row in all competitions for the primary time beneath Unai Emery.
How Liverpool had the sting on Villa
Villa’s confidence has taken a success of late however they did make a promising begin at Anfield, Jacob Ramsey having a shot blocked earlier than Leon Bailey headed over. Ollie Watkins needed a penalty when seemingly nudged over by Ibrahima Konate contained in the field.
However Liverpool punished Emery’s facet on the counter-attack, Virgil van Dijk of all folks working free following a Villa nook earlier than sending Salah clear. The Egyptian tussled with Bailey, however the ball reached Nunez all the identical, ending excessive into the online.
Villa’s set-piece coach Austin MacPhee has acquired loads of reward however Liverpool virtually scored from one other nook for the away facet, just for Nunez to blaze over when one-on-one as soon as extra. These quick breaks stay a fearsome function of the Reds’ play.
It was the distinction as a result of whereas Morgan Rogers spurned a superb opening early within the second half and Villa had been chasing an equaliser late into the sport, Salah made no mistake when breaking clear to finish any hope of a comeback – to Anfield’s delight.
It was not the right efficiency from Slot’s facet, not the right night time both with Trent Alexander-Arnold going off injured earlier than the interval, however there’s a momentum to Liverpool’s season that Arsenal and Man Metropolis lack. The drive is with them proper now.
Metropolis is likely to be anticipated to regroup throughout the worldwide break, however that five-point lead brings perception. Perhaps it is not going to want north of 90 factors to assert this specific Premier League title. In that case, 28 from 11 places Liverpool forward of the sport. Anfield is abuzz once more.
Slot: Not a superb signal on Trent
Talking within the press convention after the sport, Slot mentioned the harm to Alexander-Arnold that noticed the participant withdrawn within 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,” stated 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 transparent penalty
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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was upset with VAR after they didn’t recognise what he thought was a penalty in opposition to Liverpool
Talking within the press convention, Emery felt Aston Villa ought to have had a penalty when Conor Bradley pulled the shirt of Pau Torres contained in the 18-yard field. The incident was checked by VAR however the on-field determination 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 at all times settle for the choices of the referees however for me it was a transparent penalty. And naturally, it was an important second within the sport. If we now have the possibility to shoot a penalty, perhaps the result’s completely different. I settle for the choice however I don’t agree.”
