Liverpool v Aston Villa live: Result and final score as Gravenberch seals win in Premier League clash
Arne Slot recalled his star players after they were rested for the midweek defeat by Crystal Palace as Liverpool ended their dismal run of form
Liverpool finally halted their dreadful losing run with a 2-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on Saturday to climb into third place in the table, as Mohamed Salah became the third player in Reds history to score 250 goals.
Under mounting pressure after four successive league losses -- and six in their last seven games across all competitions -- Arne Slot's men climbed to within seven points of league leaders Arsenal with 18 points. Villa fell to 11th in the table on 15 points.
Salah struck in first-half injury time, capitalising on a huge blunder from Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez who played the ball right into the path of Liverpool's talisman. Salah finished first time to the relief of the anxious Anfield crowd, and joined Roger Hunt and Ian Rush as the only players to score 250 goals for the Merseyside club.
Ryan Gravenberch doubled the home side's lead in the 58th minute when he blasted a shot from the top of the box that deflected off Pau Torres and in past Martinez.
Slot on Salah's form
“Mo scores, again, which is not a surprise to anyone I think. But I also liked that he was strong every time we played long balls towards him and he helped his team out defensively. This is the Mo that I, we, he himself want to see.”
Arne Slot speaks to TNT Sports
“What I liked most was that the players and the fans all felt the importance of the game – that this was the moment to show we are still there.
“We were ready for it today – against a team, by the way, that was in very, very good form. It’s a good result.
“The margins sre small in the Premier League, you see it in every game – it was the same today. We didn’t concede from a set-piece, which is very helpful if you want to win football matches, especially in the Premier League at the moment.”
More from Van Dijk
“Winning always feels good, keeping a clean sheet after forever felt good as well. But it's only a win, now it's about recovering and focusing on the next one.
"In possession we were good, we found the spare man. We decided they would press with two strikers, so our number six would be free at times if we played the ball quickly enough.
"We had good runs in behind, opportunities to score goals, and the defending as a team was good. That made a difference."
More from Van Dijk
"Now it's time to start working, never get too high or too low. We live in a world where everyone can have their own opinions on so many platforms and they know better. We have to stay away from that and focus on the hard work we are doing.
"Last season, we did some negative stuff but everything was all sunshine and rainbows everywhere. Now it sounds like we're going to be in a relegation battle. That's how it works in the world."
Salah’s 250th goal sinks Aston Villa to send Liverpool third
Richard Jolly writes from Anfield:
“Liverpool had reasons to dread the prospect of history being made at Anfield. Instead, they could celebrate it. Their slump was such that they were threatened with the prospect of a seventh defeat in eight games, a fate they have not suffered since 1926, the year of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II. It was more about Anfield’s beloved ‘Egyptian King’, however. Mohamed Salah became just the third player to reach 250 Liverpool goals, joining Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in a select club of Anfield greats.
The importance of a landmark strike stretched far beyond the statistical. Liverpool ended a run of four consecutive Premier League losses, banking their first points since September. They leapt to third in the table. That, Arne Slot may argue, is no crisis.”
Read more:
Mohamed Salah’s 250th goal sinks Aston Villa to send Liverpool third
Van Dijk speaking on TNT Sports
"Even in good times, you have to still keep going and don't take our foot off the gas. What I've noticed over the last few weeks is that there's a lot of noise that you have no control over and we have to deal with that as a team. Some of the takes are ridiculous, but you deal with it. Outside noise can reach certain players, but we stick together. We are not going out on the pitch to lose games or leave fans disappointed, we want to work our socks off and win games. But it's not a guarantee, the Premier League is the highest level.”
Salah speaks to TNT Sports
“I said from the beginning it’s a tricky season for us because we have a few new players. Very good signings but they need time to adapt, and we lost some good players as well. We just need time. I think we’ll be fine.
“It’s a great feeling to score goals and win trophies for such a big club. I don’t take it for granted. I’m so proud of the achievement [250 Liverpool goals].”
'Relief for Liverpool'
Richard Jolly reports from Anfield:
“Huge cheers at Anfield, no doubt some stemming from relief. After six defeats in seven games, Liverpool have won. They have their first points since September and at least go into the Real Madrid game on the back of a victory.”
Full-time: Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool’s losing Premier League run is over. They’re up to third in the table.
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