Liverpool return to winning ways with inspired victory over Aston Villa

Liverpool returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, producing their most complete Premier League performance of the season to claim a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield.

Goals from Mo Salah and Ryan Gravenberch sealed a much needed three points for Arne Slot’s side, who ended a run of four consecutive league defeats.

Villa started brightly and caused an early scare, hitting the post through Morgan Rodgers and testing Liverpool’s defence with some lively attacking play.

However, from the 20-minute mark, the champions grew into the match, taking control and creating the majority of the chances.

The Reds finally made the breakthrough just before half-time. Emiliano Martínez’s attempted pass out from the back went straight to Salah, who made no mistake, slotting home coolly with his right foot to give Liverpool a deserved lead.

The second half saw Liverpool take full control, with renewed sharpness and fluidity in attack. Gravenberch, making his return from injury, doubled the advantage on 58 minutes when his shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and found its way past Martínez.

From there, the hosts managed the game confidently, limiting Villa to half chances and seeing out a victory that felt both vital and restorative.

The win lifts Arne Slot’s men back into the top four and, perhaps more importantly, restores belief after a difficult spell.

Salah’s goal also carried personal significance. The Egyptian has now equalled Wayne Rooney’s record for the most goal involvements (276) for a single club in Premier League history and becomes just the third Liverpool player to score 250 goals for the club in all competitions – a testament to his enduring brilliance.

After weeks of frustration, Liverpool’s energy, intensity and togetherness were back on show under the Anfield lights with a performance and result that could well mark the turning point in their season.