Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa: Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah take Reds five points clear at the top of the table

Report and free match highlights to follow as Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah earned Liverpool a 2-0 win over Aston Villa to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League after Man City's defeat at Brighton; Villa down to eighth after fourth defeat in a row in all competitions

 

Buoyed by City's slip, Darwin Nunez's first-half goal put Arne Slot's side on course for victory amid an excitable atmosphere and, though Villa played their part in an entertaining contest, Mohamed Salah's breakaway goal sealed the points late on.

The victory, a 15th in 17 games for Liverpool in all competitions, extends their lead at the top and offers hope that Slot's first season could prove to be a spectacular one.

Villa are eighth after a fourth loss in a row in all competitions for the first time under Unai Emery.

 

It was the difference because while Morgan Rogers spurned a good opening early in the second half and Villa were chasing an equaliser late into the game, Salah made no mistake when breaking clear to end any hope of a comeback - to Anfield's delight.

It was not the perfect performance from Slot's side, not the perfect night either with Trent Alexander-Arnold going off injured before the interval, but there is a momentum to Liverpool's season that Arsenal and Man City lack. The force is with them right now.

City might be expected to regroup during the international break, but that five-point lead brings belief. Maybe it will not need north of 90 points to claim this particular Premier League title. If so, 28 from 11 puts Liverpool ahead of the game. Anfield is abuzz again.

 

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