Liverpool vs Aston Villa result: Player ratings as Sadio Mane scores decisive second-half goal

Winger sprung into life after a hard-fought first half before youngster Curtis Jones completed the victory

Liverpool defeated Aston Villa 1-0 at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s side secured their first victory since being crowned champions.

A drab first half offered few opportunities to either side, with Douglas Luiz’s hopeful shout for a penalty going unanswered.

That pattern continued into the second until Sadio Mane suddenly sprung into life, spotting an opening between Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause, latching onto Naby Keita’s pass and rattling the ball in off the underside of the crossbar. Youngster Curtis Jones then added the second with a close-range deflected effort as Villa chased an equaliser in the final moments.

The loss condemns Villa to yet more misery, with Dean Smith’s side stuck in 18th and yet to win since the restart.

Here are our player ratings from the game:

Sadio Mane celebrates with Virgil van Dijk (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Liverpool

Alisson – 7: Was typically reliable on a quiet day with few challenging saves forced of him before making a great save to deny Grealish late on.

Alexander-Arnold – 6: Was dangerous as always going forwards and playing a number of cutting crossfield balls towards Robertson on the left-flank.

Van Dijk – 6: Was the leader in defence, although an errant second-half mistake almost proved costly.

Gomez – 6: Bounced back well after a torrid 45 minutes against Raheem Sterling earlier this week. Was solid, if largely untroubled, throughout.

Robertson – 5: Shook the demons of a dire performance against Man City but did find himself caught out on a couple of occasions by Trezeguet and El Ghazi. Booked for a cynical foul in the first half.

Keita – 5: Saw a lot of the ball but often struggled to make any dents in Villa’s defence.

Fabinho - 6: The metronome at the base of Liverpool’s midfield, protected well and provided the link going forwards.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5: Failed to provide the bursts of pace or incisive passing between the lines that usually add a different dimension to Liverpool’s midfield.

Mane – 7: A slightly off-colour performance from the winger, who seemed lost at points when rotating as a striker with Origi in the first half, but burst into life in the second and scored the decisive goal

Salah – 6: Was dangerous when able to break but also lacked the usual venom in his play.

Origi – 4: Struggled to leave any impression on the game after being given a chance ahead of Roberto Firmino.

Aston Villa

Liverpool celebrate Sadio Mane’s goal (AP)

Reina – 6: Was a reliable and vocal presence making his first appearance since the restart.

Konsa – 6: Was strong in defence and handled the threat of Mane and Origi well.

Hause – 5: Had been mightily impressive and disciplined throughout only to switch off momentarily, allowing Mane to expose the space between himself and Mings.

Mings – 6: Villa’s leader at the back, kept Origi quiet throughout the first half but struggled slightly with the arrival of Firmino as Villa became stretched chasing the game.

Taylor – 6: Faced a harder task that Konsa with Alexander-Arnold charging forwards on the overlap but adapted well.

Luiz – 7: Was the heart of Villa’s midfield, linking between attack and defence, and hounding Liverpool’s players when out of possession. Another impressive performance from a player who’s consistently grown in stature.

McGinn – 6: Provided a threat going forwards but was often pinned back and failed to provide Liverpool with too much food for thought.

Grealish – 7: Was Villa’s designated ball-carrier, driving forwards at Liverpool when given the opportunity and attempting to pick holes in the champions’ defence. Struggled to find a decisive opening despite his best intentions, though.

Trezeguet – 5: Provided pace and urgency going forwards but lacked the quality of final ball to make those few chances count.

El Ghazi – 5: Broke in behind Liverpool’s full-backs well, too, but also struggled to deliver crosses with any pinpoint accuracy when given the opportunity.

Davis - 6: Worked tirelessly up front, holding up the ball and pressing, but lacks the type of goal threat that causes any real panic for Liverpool’s defenders.