Mohamed Salah set up Liverpool’s opening goal for Darwin Nunez against Aston Villa and put the result beyond doubt with a brilliant individual effort late in the game at Anfield.
The 2-0 win extends Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to five points going into the international break, after Manchester City had lost 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion earlier on Saturday.
Nunez put Arne Slot’s side ahead from a tight angle in the 20th minute, and, from another counter-attack, Salah scored his eighth goal in his last 10 matches against Villa.
There will be concern at Liverpool for Trent Alexander-Arnold after he was forced off with an injury in the first half.
Gregg Evans analyses the key talking points from Anfield…
Liverpool have momentum on their side
Liverpool hold a five-point lead over City at the top of the league and have the momentum firmly in their favour.
It has been a dream start for Slot who appears to be going from strength to strength in England as City slip further away.
Since October 30, City have lost four games in a row and Liverpool have won four in row. When the pressure has been on Liverpool to take advantage, they have pounced without showing any fear.
(Carl Recine/Getty Images)
As one of only two teams, alongside Newcastle United, not to drop a point from a winning position this season, Liverpool rarely look flustered under Slot and have an answer for everything that is thrown at them.
It’s now 15 wins out of 17 games in all competitions and they are showing no signs of slowing down.
Kelleher steps up again with some key saves
This was the game that Caoimhin Kelleher went level with Alisson on appearances for Liverpool this season and what an impact he has had so far.
In his eight starts in all competitions, Liverpool have won seven and drawn one, highlighting how secure the team are when he’s in goal.
In the first half, the Irishman was alert to save superbly in quick succession from Amadou Onana and Diego Carlos as two inswinging corners caused Liverpool problems.
(Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)
The greatest compliment you can pay Kelleher is that Liverpool haven’t missed Alisson and his form has been so good that Slot may even have a selection dilemma when he does return.
Kelleher’s two saves were vital in this game and he performed well in midweek, pulling off a couple of important saves late on to keep a clean sheet against Bayer Leverkusen.
His mission is to become a regular No 1, whether that be at Anfield or elsewhere and his recent performances are doing his reputation no harm at all. The trouble is it is not only Alisson he’s battling with at Liverpool, as Giorgi Mamardashvili is joining from Valencia at the end of the season, adding another layer to an already complex challenge.
Nunez’s goal felt like a Klopp throwback
Organised chaos was the playing style Liverpool were moving away from but that was the only way to describe the events leading to the first goal.
Villa tried swinging a corner towards the front post — hoping for a flick-on — but the ball fell to the edge of the area where Mohamed Salah and Luiz Diaz combined to get to the ball first. When it fell to Virgil van Dijk, he immediately looked to set Salah free and the Egyptian had already started his run.
Outpacing Leon Bailey, who was the last line of defence, Salah charged forward, tumbled under Bailey’s challenge but there was Nunez to convert from a tight angle to send Anfield into wild celebration.
(James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
It was a goal that felt like a throwback to the period under Jurgen Klopp when Liverpool used to turn defence into attack at such speed and in almost identical style. The hosts almost got a second shortly after but this time Nunez blazed over when he was through one-on-one with Emiliano Martinez.
Injury concern for Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold was forced off with an injury after just 25 minutes in what adds to Liverpool’s growing injury concerns.
It’s a worry for Liverpool and England ahead of the forthcoming international break, where the right-back was due to link up with the national team.
Alexander-Arnold faced a difficult opening period as he came up against the direct running of Jacob Ramsey, and then he dropped to the floor complaining of a problem after his side had taken the lead.
(Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold has started every Premier League and Champions League game so far this season alongside Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Mo Salah and is one of the key players Slot has turned to since taking over.
Liverpool are already without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson and striker Diogo Jota.
What did Arne Slot say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Liverpool?
Sunday, November 24: Southampton (A), Premier League, 2pm GMT, 9am ET
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