With Aston Villa buoyed by their recent fine form and the seemingly free-scoring Matty Cash, Unai Emery’s side headed north on Sunday. Liverpool would await at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp’s side having secured a hard-fought victory against Newcastle United last time out.
LIV: Alisson; Robertson, Gomez, Matip, Alexander-Arnold; Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Diaz, Nunez, Salah
AVL: Martinez; Digne, Torres, Silva, Konsa; McGinn, Luiz, Kamara, Cash; Watkins, Diaby
It took just three minutes for Dominik Szoboszlai to open the scoring at Anfield on Sunday, catapulting Liverpool into an early lead against buoyant opposition. With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner deliver falling sweetly for the Hungarian, a sweet strike into the far corner ensured the midfielder would be opening his account for the club.
But despite Villa’s recent tendencies to find the back of the net for fun, their defensive frailties were exposed on Merseyside as a Matty Cash own goal doubled Liverpool’s advantage. Mohamed Salah’s cross was sent crashing against the post by Darwin Nunez, with the rebound bobbling over the line after an unfortunate touch from the Polish international.
Liverpool’s attacking play looked to be free-flowing, and the Reds should have added a third goal just before the half-hour mark – though Joel Matip’s headed effort was planted wide of the target following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick.
A further chance before the break saw Darwin Nunez latch onto a long ball over the top of the Villa defence, but blazed his strike against the crossbar after a quick exchange with Mohamed Salah.
And just ten minutes into the second half, Mohamed Salah silenced any niggling doubts about the outcome of the game. With Darwin Nunez nodding the corner delivery towards the Egyptian, a simple finish was all that was required – though his second goal of the season may well be his last in a Liverpool shirt if the rumours of a move to Saudi Arabia prove to be true.
The international break will provide some much-needed respite time for Aston Villa after a comprehensive defeat, and they’ll return to home action against Crystal Palace on 16 September. Liverpool will travel to Wolverhampton on the same day.
