Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah scored in each half, helping Liverpool secure an impressive win and a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League as they head into the November international break.
For Aston Villa, it marked a fourth consecutive loss and their fifth game without a win. However, this took nothing away from the clinical execution of Liverpool under manager Arne Slot. The Dutchman has now led Liverpool to 15 wins and one draw in 17 games, fueling hopes among fans for a Premier League title.
The result wasn’t fully sealed until the 84th minute, when Salah capitalized on a defensive error by Ian Maatsen, who failed to clear his lines. Salah quickly pounced, racing half the length of the field and cleverly lifting the ball over Emiliano Martinez. Villa protested, claiming Pau Torres had been fouled by Ryan Gravenberch earlier in the play, but the goal stood.
In the first half, Villa’s corners were the main source of threat for both sides. Liverpool scored their first goal from a quick counterattack following a Villa corner. Virgil van Dijk launched the break, finding Salah, who was fouled by Leon Bailey. As the ball broke free, Nunez latched onto it, rounding Martinez and scoring from a tight angle. His instinctive finish demonstrated that he thrives under pressure, although he missed another chance in the 33rd minute after being set up by Salah.
Villa responded with two close attempts from set pieces, both denied by Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s excellent saves. Amadou Onana’s powerful header and Diego Carlos’ follow-up attempt were both turned away as Liverpool held onto their one-goal lead.
The second half began with Villa nearly equalizing when Morgan Rogers went through on goal but shot wide. Liverpool continued to push for a second, with Nunez heading Andy Robertson’s cross narrowly off target. The Reds also survived a VAR check for a potential foul on Pau Torres by Conor Bradley, keeping tensions high at Anfield.
Despite a nervy finish, Liverpool nearly added another goal through a counterattack, though Salah’s pass for Luis Diaz fell short. At the other end, Jhon Duran nearly leveled for Villa, only to be thwarted by van Dijk’s decisive defending.
