Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa: Reds move five points clear after goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah

Liverpool surged five points clear of champions Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah firing them to a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield.

With City losing 2-1 at Brighton earlier on Saturday evening, the pressure was on Arne Slot’s side to respond by completing a sixth home win over Villa in seven league matches before an expectant and excitable crowd.

And it was Nunez who came up with the vital opening goal as he finished off a blistering counter-0attacking move by rounding visiting goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to net on 20 minutes after referee David Coote allowed play to continue with Salah felled by Leon Bailey as he bounded towards goal.

Villa battled hard and had several chances, but could not find an equaliser before Salah finished off another swift Liverpool break to finalise the three points on 84 minutes.

Slot has now won 15 times in 17 matches, nine of his first 11 league games as Liverpool manager, and heads into the international break in fine fettle before they return to action at Southampton on November 24.

Meanwhile, Unai Emery’s Villa side have lost their past four matches, but remain eighth and will aim to return to winning ways when they host Crystal Palace in a fortnight.

This was far from a classic, but for Liverpool it was all about the victory after Manchester City lost at Brighton. That result added extra incentive and pressure on the shoulders of Slot’s side, but they responded strongly with an assured display against a visiting team who always carried a threat.

After the 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, this win was more about grinding it out.

Battling hard is just as important as brilliance for prospective champions, and Slot’s men will not fall down this season through lack of effort.

The only major concern was the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first half to a suspected hamstring strain in the first half which might rule him out of the trip to Southampton after the international break.

The electric Egypt striker showed Aston Villa the value of finishing at the top level as he cut them open in assisting Nunez’s opening goal before completing the assignment for Slot’s men late on with another lovely effort. If Salah stays fit, Liverpool must be hopeful of maintaining a strong challenge to City for the title.

Liverpool: Kelleher 8, Alexander-Arnold 6, Konate 7, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 7, Mac Allister 7, Gravenberch 7, Jones 7, Salah 9, Nunez 8, Diaz 7 Subs: Endo 6, Szoboszlai 6, Gakpo 6, Bradley 7

Aston Villa: Martinez 7, Konsa 7, Diego Carlos 7, Pau Torres 6, Digne 7, Onana 6, Tielemans 7, Bailey 6, Rogers 6, Ramsey 6, Watkins 6 Subs: Maatsen 6, Kamara 6, McGinn 6, Philogene 6, Durán 6

20′ GOAL! (NUNEZ) LIVERPOOL 1-0 ASTON VILLA What a stunning goal. Liverpool go from one end to the other. Salah picks up the pass from Van Dijk on break. Salah fouled by Bailey, but Nunez picks up loose ball before rounding Martinez and smashing home the finish. Liverpool lead 1-0 at Anfield

31′ GOLDEN CHANCE FOR SECOND LIVERPOOL GOAL! Villa all over the show in defence as they are again cut open at the back on the break from a corner. Salah this time plays provider for Nunez, but he blazes wildly over with only Martinez to beat. Huge chance not taken.

37′ VILLA ALMOST GRAB A LEVELLER! Caoimhín Kelleher with two excellent stops to keep out headers from Amadou Onana and Diego Carlos. Digne then can’t convert a volley after the Liverpool keeper came off his line and missed a cross. Three quick Villa chances in succession. None taken.

47′ VILLA WITH ANOTHER CHANCE TO LEVEL Villa go direct early in the second half, but the ball breaks to Morgan Rogers who knocks the finish well wide of goal when it looked easier to score. Emery unhappy on the visiting bench.

84′ GOAL! (SALAH) LIVERPOOL 2-0 ASTON VILLA Another stunning break and finish for Liverpool after Pau Torres went down appealing for a pen at the other end. But he clearly wasn’t fouled. Ball broke kindly for Salah and he lifts the ball over for Martinez. It is 2-0 to Liverpool. Surely game over.