Liverpool finally ended their wait for a win in the Premier League, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch securing a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa
Premier League (10) | Anfield
November 1, 2025
Goals
Salah 45+1′
Gravenberch 58′ (assist: Mac Allister)
Gravenberch returns but Wirtz on the bench
Arne Slot made nine changes from the midweek Carabao Cup exit, welcoming back Ryan Gravenberch after three games out with an ankle injury and starting Andy Robertson over Milos Kerkez.
Florian Wirtz was overlooked as Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai joined the No. 38 in midfield, with the No. 10 tasked with starting from the bench for the third time in six games.
Harvey Elliott‘s initial loan deal to Aston Villa, meanwhile, meant he was ineligible to feature at Anfield.
Salah ends run of conceding first
Liverpool’s matches have been likened to basketball matches this season, and the opening stages of the first half were just that, as Villa put the Reds’ press to the test.
Morgan Rogers was nearly the benefactor inside five minutes, hitting the upright after Unai Emery’s side bypassed the middle of the pitch with ease.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Giorgi Mamardashvili showed off his shot-stopping ability in quick succession, reacting brilliantly to Matty Cash’s deflected cross that was top corner-bound, before Rogers was again denied.
Bucking the trend of repeatedly launching long balls, Villa’s decision to play out from the back invited Liverpool to force turnovers high up the pitch, led by Szoboszlai, who was the energiser for both his teammates and the crowd.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai has his shirt pulled by Aston Villa's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The No. 8 ought to have opened the scoring, if not for a tame shot after winning possession, and had an assist after a brilliant cross was converted by Hugo Ekitike, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
And who else but Mohamed Salah to ensure Liverpool did not lament the decision for long, pouncing on a dreadful short pass from Emi Martinez with a first-time finish for his 250th Liverpool goal.
Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Gravenberch returns with a bang
Ending the run of conceding first in the last seven games, Liverpool started the second half with the ascendancy and, dare we say, confidence that has been severely lacking of late.
Villa continually played into Liverpool’s hands with their insistence on playing out from the back, and with gaps to expose, Gravenberch did not need a second invitation to take aim and double the lead.
A much-improved Mac Allister threaded the pass and the Dutchman ran unopposed to the edge of the box, with his deflected shot finding the back of the net at the Kop end.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch scores the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With less than 15 minutes remaining of the 90, Slot made his first change of the night, replacing Hugo Ekitike with Wirtz, and the change invited immediate Villa pressure.
The visitors, however, overhit their passes and shots to alleviate any nerves as the clock dwindled down, with the Reds defending their box effectively for their first clean sheet since mid-September.
The final whistle brought relief and the sound of Slot’s name from around Anfield, with Liverpool ending their four-match losing streak in the Premier League to temporarily move to third in the table.
TIA Man of the Match: Dominik Szoboszlai
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike (Wirtz 77′)
Subs not used: Woodman, Pecsi, Gomez, Kerkez, Endo, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Chiesa
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres (Mings 75′), Digne (Maatsen 75′); Onana, Kamara; McGinn (Barkley 60′), Gussand (Malen 60′), Rogers; Watkins (Sancho 75′)
Subs not used: Bizot, Lindelog, Bogarde, Broggio
Next match: Real Madrid (H) – Champions League – Tues, Nov 4, 8pm (GMT)