Salah scores and reinforces the goal of the Champions League
In their return to the Premier League after the World Cup break, Liverpool closed the gap for Champions League qualification to five points after securing a 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Monday.
The Reds started perfectly after five minutes at defense Trent Alexander-ArnoldExquisite pass with the outside of your found foot andy robertsonthat allowed the striker Mohamed Salah to add the final touch. Advocate Virgil van Dyke he added a second goal after several Liverpool chances, with Salah becoming provider to help take a two-goal lead before half-time.
Coach Jurgen Klopp’s team was slow to start the second half and was punished after Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins he headed the goalkeeper Alissonwhile failing Darwin Nunez and Salah gave hope to those of Unai Emery. that was until Stefan Bajcetic he turned up for Liverpool and the 18-year-old’s 81st-minute goal eased Liverpool’s nerves who watched out for the rest of the game.
Liverpool remain sixth in the table after a disappointing start to the season, but with Monday’s victory they are now just five points behind fourth-place Tottenham and the Champions League qualifying zone.
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positives
A strong attacking display from Liverpool saw multiple chances created, and the three points will be vital in the race for the top four.
negatives
Liverpool lowered their intensity in the second half, and that allowed Aston Villa to get back into the game. Klopp’s side could have allowed the hosts to regain parity another day.
Manager rating (out of 10)
Jurgen Klopp, 8 — Klopp adapted well to Aston Villa’s changes throughout the match to ensure the Reds never lost their grip, despite a rocky start to the second half. Klopp’s tackle on Bajcetic with the game 2-1 on 79 minutes proved decisive, and the 18-year-old quickly restored a two-goal lead.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players featured after 70 minutes get no rating)
G.K. Alisson7 — The Liverpool star between the posts was as confident as ever in goal, making the saves expected.
DF Virgil van Dyke8 — Solid display from the Dutch central defender, who was called on to make several interventions. He scored Liverpool’s second goal to give his team a two-goal lead before half-time.
DF Joel Matip6 — He lost track of Watkins to Aston Villa’s goal in a positive performance from Matip. Impressed with the layout of him from behind again.
DF andy robertson8 — The Scotland captain used his space on the left flank to produce an excellent opening ball for Núñez. He then secured the assist from him by cutting off the ball from Salah. He also defended excellently throughout the match.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold8 — Alexander-Arnold showed all his playing skills from right-back that night, with his pass to Robertson before Liverpool’s opening goal straight from the top drawer.
FM Fabinho7 — He followed up his strong midweek performance against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup with another aggressive display from the No. 6 position. He closes with a second-half effort from distance.
FM Thiago6 — He kept things simple for most of the game but seemed unable to adapt after Aston Villa showed more intensity in the second half. Replaced in the 66th minute by Naby Keita.
FM jordan henderson7 — A confident performance from the Liverpool captain, who showed off his passing range on the night, regularly putting the ball into the correct channels for his attacking players.
F.W. Darwin Nunez6 — The Uruguayan international got into dangerous areas as usual, but once again he was let down by his shot, with multiple chances in the game to get on the scoreboard. He played an important role in Liverpool’s third goal after finishing a cross into the box before Bajcetic’s goal.
F.W. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain6 — He took up promising positions inside to allow Robertson acres of space on the left flank. He worked hard to keep up the press from the front.
F.W. Mohamed Salah8 — It didn’t take long for Salah to score again when he finished off Robertson’s cut after five minutes. He later became a supplier to help Van Dijk.
substitutes
naby keita (Thiago, 66″), 6 — He shot over the crossbar in a promising opportunity from outside the box.
harvey eliott (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 66″), 6 — He passed the ball well in close quarters to help build up Liverpool’s attacks and kept things simple. He linked well with Robertson.
joe gomez (Alexander-Arnold, 79″), N/R
Stefan Bajcetic (Henderson, 79″), N/A — It only took him two minutes to get on the scoreboard with a brilliant shot from inside the area. His first absolute goal for Liverpool.
ben free (Nunez, 87″), N/R — A Premier League debut for Ben Doak.