Aston Villa suffered their first Premier League defeat since August as Liverpool ran out 2-0 victors at Anfield.placeholder image
Aston Villa suffered their first Premier League defeat since August as Liverpool ran out 2-0 victors at Anfield. | Getty Images
Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch’s goals inflicted Aston Villa’s first Premier League defeat since August as Liverpool ran out 2-0 victors at Anfield.
Aston Villa’s Premier League winning streak came to an abrupt end as Liverpool stopped their rot to win 2-0 at Anfield on Saturday evening.
Emiliano Martinez’s first-half blunder allowed Mohamed Salah to edge the hosts in front before Ryan Gravenberch’s deflected long-range strike gave Villa a mountain to climb. Unai Emery’s side had made a bright start as Morgan Rogers’ curled effort struck the outside of the right post, but Liverpool eventually got in their groove and never really looked like conceding.
Hugo Ekitike thought he’d headed Liverpool in front just before half time but the Frenchman was denied by a VAR intervention as he was well offside from Szoboszlai’s cross. It beggared belief that the linesman didn’t call it in real time. Even Liverpool boss Arne Slot spotted Ekitike had strayed before VAR got involved.
Salah then did score Liverpool’s opener, making the most of a horrendous error from Martinez. Villa’s goalkeeper sold Pau Torres very short and Salah pounced, converting first time into the net with his weaker right foot. Martinez looked as if he was stuck in treacle as he didn’t even make an effort to sprint back and intervene.
Gravenberch doubled Liverpool’s advantage in the 58th minute as his strike from just outside the area deflected off Torres’ outstretched leg and over Martinez, who could do very little about it. Ezri Konsa punched the ground in frustration, perhaps at Pau’s expense, as the Spaniard’s poor long pass forward was intercepted to kickstart the Liverpool attack.
Emery used all five substitutions in an effort to get back into the game - and there were half-chances for the likes of Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen - but Liverpool dug in to hold on for all three points, as well as their first clean sheet in 10 matches. Here’s how the Villa players rated on a difficult night at Anfield.
Goalkeeper and defence ratings
Emiliano Martinez's error allowed Mohamed Salah to put Liverpool ahead before half time.placeholder image
Emiliano Martinez's error allowed Mohamed Salah to put Liverpool ahead before half time. | Getty Images
Emiliano Martinez - The Argentine made a terrible mistake to effectively gift Salah his 250th Liverpool goal, passing straight to the Egyptian when playing out from the back. It was such a laborious pass from Martinez and he then made matters worse by failing to react. It was a shame as the World Cup winner made an excellent stop from Szoboszlai’s free-kick earlier in the first half. 3
Matty Cash - Villa’s number two kept Gakpo at bay for the most part, jockeying the forward well and making several important interventions. Cash also went very close with a great effort from outside the box midway through the first half as he forced a fine save from Mamardashvili. He did get booked for a tug of Ekitike’s shirt, mind. 6
Ezri Konsa - The England international had a mixed game as he made a couple of really important blocks - including one to stop a goalward Mac Allister effort - but had some shaky moments under the Liverpool high press. 6
Pau Torres (off 75’) - Pau was unable to pass through the press as effectively as we’ve seen in recent weeks. One giveaway - albeit not a direct error leading to a goal - was costly ahead of the Gravenberch strike. 5
Lucas Digne (off 75’) - Ran totally ragged by Salah, Digne struggled to maintain his strong form. The left-back wasn’t at fault for the goal - it was all Martinez - but he certainly wasn’t as sturdy as usual. 4
Midfield and attack ratings
Morgan Rogers was Aston Villa's livewire at Anfield, but to no avail.placeholder image
Morgan Rogers was Aston Villa's livewire at Anfield, but to no avail. | Getty Images
Boubacar Kamara - Rather uncharacteristically, Kamara gave the ball away in his own defensive third on two occasions in the first half. The second giveaway was particularly poor, allowing Szoboszlai a huge chance that was squandered. Kamara did at least cover well at times as he dropped in between the centre-halves. 5
Amadou Onana - Onana was probably Villa’s best player in the first half with some brave tackles and blocks, but he let himself down in the second period as he somehow got away with raising his hand to Mac Allister’s throat. On another night, he could have seen red for that. It was silly and needless. 5
John McGinn (off 59’) - The skipper showed off some of his customary hold-up play, albeit only on a couple of occasions. McGinn wasn’t as creative as Emery would have liked, though he did throw himself into several challenges. 6
Morgan Rogers - Probably Villa’s most dangerous outlet, Rogers was a threat on the transition as he charged forward with the ball plenty. He was also the closest too scoring for Villa as he struck the post early doors. The attacking midfielder was disappointed to see yellow for a foul on Wirtz late on. 7*
Evann Guessand (off 59’) - Villa’s £30 million summer signing offered very, very little. Guessand made a few runs in the channels but he wasn’t physical enough against Robertson to make the most of them. Guessand was also lucky to get away without a booking for a sloppy foul on Gakpo on the fringes of the penalty area. 4
Ollie Watkins (off 75’) - The striker had a quiet night as the service wasn’t really there for him, however he had a couple of bright moments when he received the ball into feet and was able to run at Van Dijk and Konate. 6
Substitute ratings
Ross Barkley (on 59’) - The Evertonian made an impact with his energy off the bench, though he lacked composure when he leant back and fired two shots well over the bar. 6
Donyell Malen (on 59’) - Malen pressed high to try and force a mistake from Liverpool’s defenders but didn’t have any joy. 6
Tyrone Mings (on 75’) - The defender was brought on with aerial prowess in mind but he was forced off with a hamstring problem, reducing Villa to 10 men late on. 6
Jadon Sancho (on 75’) - Sancho saw plenty of the ball in the closing exchanges but he didn’t do enough with it. Conor Bradley did well to limit his output.
Ian Maatsen (on 75’) - Maatsen offered a little more directness with his pace but he didn’t make a decisive impact.
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