Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa: Player ratings as the Reds extend winning streak at Anfield

Liverpool celebrated Jurgen Klopp’s 300th Premier League game in charge by extending their winning streak to three games following a comfortable 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield today.

Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah and a Matty Cash own goal ensured the Reds extended their unbeaten home run to an emphatic 14 games on the trot stretching back to last season.

Klopp’s side came into the game brimming with confidence from their astonishing victory over Newcastle United last weekend, and they picked up where they left off in style.

Szoboszlai opened the scoring after a relentless start from the Reds, rifling home a stunning half-volley on his weaker foot from a whipped corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Englishman’s assist was his 55th in the Premier League, equalling legendary figures such as Paul Scholes, Steed Malbranque, and Didier Drogba in the all-time rankings.

Szoboszlai’s belter sparked Anfield into life, and the Reds kept their foot on the gas, looking to tear the Villans apart through a high press before the visitors found their gear.

Villa were powerless to stop Klopp’s Red machines, who were firing on all cylinders, and they doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute after Salah released Darwin Nunez.

The Uruguayan striker’s effort cannoned off the post but ended up in the back of the net off an unfortunate onrushing Cash.

Villa finally began to fight back, with their best chance of the half coming when Joe Gomez lost the ball in a dangerous area, although John McGinn failed to hit the target from close range.

Liverpool should have been three ahead just minutes into the second half when Nunez failed to find the net from six yards out after a fine cross from Salah.

Although Villa also had a chance to pull one back early in the second period, but Alisson was on hand to stop Cash’s header from crossing the line with an extraordinary save.

Having threatened the Villa backline all game, Salah got in on the action after bundling home from Nunez’s front post header to mark the 11th straight game at Anfield in which he has scored or assisted – a Liverpool record.

Villa were never able to truly establish a foothold in the contest, and Liverpool’s dominant display sees them move into third place in the Premier League standings.

It ended in a bad day at the office for Unai Emery’s men, but after recently sailing through to the Europa Conference League group stage, there is still plenty for the Villa fans to be optimistic about this season.

Liverpool

Alisson (6/10) – Didn’t have much to do in the first half but denied Villa a route back into the game with a stunning stop from Cash’s header early in the second half.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (8/10) – A first-class performance from the Englishman. Dictated proceedings from midfield, with Villa powerless to stop his extraordinary passing range. 

Joel Matip (6/10) – Did well to stop Ollie Watkins from troubling Alisson’s goal, although he was caught napping a couple of times.

Joe Gomez (6/10) – A solid performance from the Englishman, delivering a clean sheet while standing in for the suspended Virgil Van Dijk.

Andrew Robertson (7/10) – Overshadowed by Alexander-Arnold’s brilliance on the other flank but put in a solid shift all round.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10) – Rifled home a stunning effort for his first Liverpool goal, which sparked the Kop into life early on.

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10) – Couldn’t quite sort out his passing in the opening period but did a decent job protecting the back four.

Curtis Jones (6/10) – A solid showing from the Englishman and was integral to Liverpool’s press.

Mohamed Salah (8/10) – Made several dangerous off-the-ball runs into the final third and was finally rewarded with a goal in the second half. 

Darwin Nunez (8/10) – Was a constant threat to the Villa backline. Struck the post twice and was unlucky not to find the back of the net. Did well to set up Salah for the third goal.

Luis Diaz (6/10) – Looked bright but without an end product to show for his attacking endeavours.

Substitutes

Diogo Jota (5/10)

Cody Gakpo (5/10)

Harvey Elliot (5/10)

Jarell Quansah (5/10)

Wataru Endo (NA)

Aston Villa

Emiliano Martinez (4/10) – Was a commanding presence at the back and made a couple of decent saves to deny Liverpool. Could do nothing about the goals he conceded.

Pau Torres (4/10) – Gave away the corner that led to the early goal. Never fully recovered from his error and struggled to contend with Nunez.

Diego Carlos (N/A) – Looked solid early on and was unlucky to be forced off with an injury in the 19th minute.

Ezri Konsa (5/10) – Was the more assured centre-half after Carlos’ early departure.

Lucas Digne (6/10) – Had trouble dealing with Salah but offered Villa a dangerous attacking outlet down the left flank.

Douglas Luiz (6/10) – A solid display from the Brazilian who was one of the better performers for Villa. Did well to make his presence known in the midfield.

Boubacar Kamara (5/10) – Won all but one of his tackles but struggled to help the Villans establish a foothold in the middle of the park.

Matty Cash (4/10) – Endured a torrid opening 45 minutes, and the tactical switch didn’t do much good. Was unlucky to concede an own goal but came close to making up for his error in the second half.

John McGinn (5/10) – A reasonable display from the captain but not enough to spur his side to a positive result.

Moussa Diaby (6/10) – Made himself a menace to the Liverpool backline and was a standout performance in an underwhelming outing from the Villans.

Ollie Watkins (4/10) – Was anonymous for the entire 73 minutes he spent on the pitch and failed to register a single shot on target.

Substitutes

Leon Bailey (4/10)

Nicolo Zaniolo (5/10)

Youri Tielemans (4/10) 

Jhon Duran (3/10)