A fast counter attack saw Liverpool take the lead after 20 minutes through Darwin Nunez.

Some sublime goalkeeping from Caoimhin Kelleher kept the score 1-0 before half-time.

Mohamed Salah doubled the Liverpool lead with a fabulous finish to win the game 2-0 and send Liverpool five points clear at the top of the table.

Liverpool FC: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.

Subs: Endo, Szoboszlai, Bradley, Gakpo.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins.

Subs: Maatsen, McGinn, Kamara, Duran, Philogene.

First Half

Aston Villa probed on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area. The ball ricocheted off many players before it fell to Ibou Konate who cleared it for a Villa corner. Pau Torres flicked the corner on at the near post only to find red shirts. Virgil van Dijk lofted a through-pass releasing Mohamed Salah 1 on 1 with Martinez. Leon Bailey pulled our Egyptian down in what would’ve been a red card offence, if it wasn’t for Darwin Nunez who collected the loose ball and rounded Martinez before smashing home for his second Premier League goal this season.

Just 2 minutes later Ollie Watkins went down in the Liverpool penalty area after a challenge from Ibou Konate. The referee David Coote ruled it shoulder to shoulder and awarded Liverpool a free kick for the theatrical tumble.

Aston Villa would have another corner on the half hour mark, that Liverpool would counter from yet again. Darwin Nunez breaking through one-on-one. However, the finish was not so composed this time around.

Approaching half-time Aston Villa would have back-to-back corners. Caoimhin Kelleher would make two sublime stops to keep Liverpool in the lead. The first effort from Amadou Onana being touched over the bar, the second a reaction save after Diego Carlos flicked the ball goal bound from the near post.

Second Half

Unai Emery called for a response from his side and straight after half-time was probably Aston Villa’s best chance of the half. Morgan Rodgers, drove in on goal, opened up his body and sliced the ball wide of the post. A let off for Liverpool.

The Anfield crowd responded and turned up the volume. Andrew Robertson whipped in a terrific cross finding Darwin Nunez who headed the ball narrowly wide of the post.

A long throw-in into the Liverpool box was dealt with and cleared away by Dominik Szoboszlai. Diego Carlos elected to head the ball straight into the path of the pressing Mohamed Salah who drove the ball towards goal. Opting to go alone, Salah bided his time and dinked the ball over Martinez to make the score 2-0. Sending Liverpool five points clear at the top of the Premier League

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