Liverpool extended their lead at the Premier League summit with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield, building a five-point cushion over Manchester City after their slip-up against Brighton. Darwin Nunez’s early strike and Mohamed Salah’s late finish were enough to fend off Villa’s resilience and send Liverpool fans into the international break with renewed hope of a title.
The Reds’ performance was defined by grit and discipline, answering doubts about their ability to capitalize on City’s misstep. Nunez’s opener in the 20th minute came as he rounded Emiliano Martinez, making the most of a Salah-led counterattack. Aston Villa fought back with intensity, looking to level the score through a high press that tested Liverpool’s defences, but the Reds held firm. Salah’s goal in the dying minutes sealed the game, exploiting another breakaway to beat Villa’s defensive line and sweep home.
This victory marks Arne Slot’s 15th win in 17 matches across all competitions—a remarkable achievement for Liverpool’s new Dutch manager. Slot’s success so far, despite a challenging spell of injuries, has Anfield buzzing with cautious optimism. The early days of his tenure show a manager capable of rallying his squad through adversity, as they are now positioned with a clear lead in the title race.
Yet, Liverpool’s injury troubles remain a dark cloud over their season. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s early exit with a suspected hamstring injury, shortly after Nunez’s opener, only adds to their growing casualty list. Already without first-team regulars, including summer signing Federico Chiesa, Slot faces the daunting prospect of tackling Real Madrid and Manchester City without his preferred lineup when club football resumes.
Notably, Andy Robertson’s resurgence added a bright spot in an otherwise tense game. Slot opted to start Robertson over Kostas Tsimikas, who has recently filled in for the Scotsman. Robertson responded with an assured display, neutralizing Villa’s Leon Bailey and showing flashes of his familiar attacking verve. An inch-perfect cross for Nunez nearly resulted in another goal, though the Uruguayan narrowly missed from close range.
Liverpool’s performance may not have been flawless, but it reinforced their title credentials. With a five-point lead and Anfield daring to dream, Liverpool’s pursuit of Premier League glory feels within reach once more.
