This was a game that saw two very tactically astute managers coming into the contest in differing levels of form. Liverpool’s new head coach, Arne Slot, was looking to build a lead at the top of the Premier League table, whereas Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery, was desperate to halt the recent run of bad form.
Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.
Starting Eleven
GK – Kevin Kelleher
RB – Trent Alexander Arnold
RCB – Ibrahima Konaté
LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)
LB – Andy Robertson
CM – Alexis Mac Allister
ACM – Curtis Jones
CM – Ryan Gravenberch
RF – Mohamed Salah
CF – Darwin Núñez
LF – Luis Díaz
Subs
Conor Bradley – Trent Alexander Arnold (23 mins)
Dominik Szoboszlai – Curtis Jones (64 mins)
Cody Steel – Darwin Nunez (64 mins)
Wataru Endō – Alexis Mac Allister (87 mins)
Goals (Assisted by)
Liverpool 1 – 0 Aston Villa
Darwin Núñez (Mohamed Salah) – 20 mins
Liverpool 2 – 0 Aston Villa
Mohamed Salah- 84 mins
Important Match Stats
Possession
Liverpool 63% – 37% Aston Villa
Total Shots
Liverpool 14 – 12 Aston Villa
Corner Kicks
Liverpool 2 – 9 Aston Villa
Off Sides
Liverpool 1 – 1 Aston Villa
Fouls
Liverpool 11 – 15 Aston Villa
Goalkeeper Saves
Liverpool 2 – 3 Aston Villa
First Half
The opening period of this game was a frenetic affair for the reds, as they strived to outwork and force the visitors into a mistake. The France man mountain, Ibrahima Konaté, was keen to show his defensive power immediately and was very front footed in his work. Mohamed Salah had a tame early effort smothered, as Ollie Watkins sent the Villans first chance over the bar. Ryan Gravenberch was alert to block a great opportunity for the away side, as Trent Alexander Arnold was rather weak in his one-on-one work.
The opening goal came after a couple of strong defensive plays by the club captain, Virgil van Dijk, as he sent forward the ideal through ball to launch a scintillating counter attack. Mohamed Salah was the breakaway asset who was fouled in transition, however, the game played on and his final touch created the assist for his forward line teammate, Darwin Núñez, who drove past the keeper and scored from the angle.
Minutes later, the Liverpool vice-captain, Trent Alexander Arnold, was forced to leave the field with an injury, with Conor Bradley coming into the game.
Through the opening stages, the recalled Scotland international skipper, Andy Robertson, looked relentless in his defensive endeavour, as his towering central defenders, Virgil, and Ibou, dominated the Aston Villa attacking group. With a rip-roaring counter stemming from another Villa corner, it would again be the reds no.9, Darwin, who would be tasked with the final strike. Unfortunately for the expectant support, his wild effort flew over the bar and reminded us all his frustrating limitations.
As the first real participation in the game, Liverpool’s deputizing keeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, was superb with two instinctive saves from two corners. The first was expertly tipped over the bar from a close-range header, whereas the second was smothered after a penalty box melee. The control and work rate of the middle ground trio, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Curtis Jones, was a key factor in the home side controlling much of the possession, with a fine balance between defensive and offensive duties. One more counter attack really should have added the sweetener to the opening period, as Andy Robertson drilled in a dangerous low cross that was immediately intercepted.
The half ended with the hosts ahead by a solitary goal up and with everything still to play for.
Second Half
On resumption of the second half, no additional changes were made by the title challenging home side, as the Liverpool head coach sent out the same eleven men which had ended the first half.
Unai Emery’s men were rampant from the restarting whistle and nearly created a good goal scoring opportunity, however, it would be the goal scorer from the first half, Darwin Núñez, who had the best next chance to score. Following some good work by the Columbian flyer, Luis Díaz, a very fine cross was delivered by Robbo, one which was headed just wide of the near post by the perfectly placed Uruguayan. A further shot would come a few minutes later by the former Benfica man, one which would be easily caught by the Villa stopper.
As the game teetered and swung from end to end, the hosts would struggle to truly gain a grasp of the game. The eventual man of the match, Virgil van Dijk, and his towering centre back partner, Ibrahima Konaté, were monstrous in their output, with each threat repelled by their excellence in defence. A solid full back endeavour was undertaken by the returning Scot, Andy Robertson, as the burning desire to maintain yet another clean sheet was evident.
The game state became very subdued, as Liverpool waited patiently to strike the final blow. The substitutions allowed a little more injection, as Ryan Gravenberch continued to impress in the middle of the famous park. It would be on 84-minutes that that final blow would be delivered by the men in red. Following some silliness in the reds own penalty area, a subsequent break away would see the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, tear away once again. As he entered the opposition box, a moment’s hesitation (by the 32-year-old) and the likelihood of a square ball created an opening to score himself, one which was dispatched by the man of the moment.
The game laboured from that point, with the scores set and ending at a deserved 2-0.
Final Thoughts
This was a contest that could have been more difficult, if not for the supreme central defenders of Liverpool. A five-point advantage is now carried into the forthcoming international break, one which can be built upon when the league leaders return.
Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:
Liverpool 3 – 0 Aston Villa
