Mohamed Salah netted his 250th Liverpool goal as the Reds ended their four-game Premier League losing streak with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield.
Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a deserved 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield. Mohamed Salah’s 250th goal for the club and Ryan Gravenberch’s deflected strike secured the win, ending a four-match losing streak.
The result lifted Arne Slot’s side to third in the table on 18 points, seven behind leaders Arsenal. Villa’s defeat, meanwhile, halted their run of four straight league wins and dropped them to 11th.
Liverpool began nervously as Villa twice struck the woodwork in the opening 15 minutes. Morgan Rogers hit the post, while Giorgi Mamardashvili tipped a deflected Matty Cash cross onto the bar.
But just before halftime, a costly mistake from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez gifted the Reds the lead. His poor clearance fell straight to Salah, who calmly slotted into an empty net. It was the Egyptian’s 250th goal for Liverpool in all competitions, making him only the third player to reach that mark after Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.
Salah’s strike also took his Premier League goal involvements for Liverpool to 276 (188 goals, 88 assists), equalling Wayne Rooney’s record for a single club.
The hosts took full control after the break. Ryan Gravenberch, making his return from an ankle injury, doubled Liverpool’s advantage in the 58th minute. His low shot from the edge of the box took a deflection off Pau Torres, wrong-footing Martinez.
Dominik Szoboszlai impressed throughout, linking play effectively and testing the Villa keeper twice before Salah’s opener. Defensively, captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were solid, ensuring the Reds secured their first Premier League clean sheet since mid-September.
The defining moment came from Salah’s clinical finish, punishing Villa’s high-risk play from the back approach from the back. Gravenberch’s sharp display in midfield added balance, while Szoboszlai’s energy drove Liverpool forward.
For Villa, Rogers’ early efforts were the highlight of a frustrating evening. Manager Unai Emery’s side created openings but lacked composure in the final third.
Arne Slot praised Salah’s “unbelievable” consistency, noting how his work rate on and off the ball inspired the team. The Anfield crowd responded in kind, chanting “Champions” as the Reds closed out the win.
Liverpool dominated possession with 53% and recorded 16 shots to Villa’s 10. Mamardashvili made three crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet, while Salah had four attempts, two on target.
The victory extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run at Anfield to 106 Premier League matches when scoring first. Villa, on the other hand, have now failed to win any of their last 16 league visits to Anfield.
Liverpool face Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday, followed by a massive league clash away to Manchester City on Sunday.
Aston Villa will look to regroup when they host Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League on Thursday before welcoming Bournemouth to Villa Park next weekend.
