Liverpool into the top 3 of the English Premier League
The comeback victory over Newcastle in round 3 was like injecting a dose of morale into Liverpool. They played like a storm and did not give Aston Villa, the team that is sublimating with four consecutive victories in all competitions, a chance to "survive" leaving Anfield. During the entire match, Liverpool controlled the ball 64%, launching 14 shots, including four on target.
It only took the home team three minutes to take the lead, when rookie midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai hit the ground with a left-footed shot, leaving goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez rooted to the spot. This was the first goal Szoboszlai scored for Liverpool in an official match. In the previous three matches, he played all 90 minutes.
The early defeat did not make Aston Villa impatient. But they continued to suffer losses when midfielder Diego Carlos was injured and reluctantly had to leave the field in the 19th minute. Three minutes later, Liverpool doubled the gap. From Mohamed Salah's cross, Darwin Nunez volleyed. The ball bounced off the post, hit Matty Cash and then flew into the net.
In this match, Nunez was placed in the starting role after coming from the bench and scoring a double against Newcastle. But clearly, the Uruguayan striker still needs to improve his ability to take advantage of opportunities if he wants to shoulder the task of scoring.
The two teams tit for tat in the next minutes. Joel Matip's header misses the post from an unmarked position, after Trent Alexander-Arnold's free kick. John McGinn had a chance on a counter-attack, but missed. Nunez coordinated well with Salah, but the ball hit the bar.
The script did not change much in the second half. The two teams are ready to attack and offer beautiful coordination situations. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker's reflexes prevented Cash from redeeming himself in a move to join the attack, while Nunez was still ungainly with the volley and sent the ball out just a few meters away.
In the 55th minute, Liverpool fixed the score with a corner kick. Although Nunez did not score a goal, he showed his ability to create a goal with a high jump and a header for Salah to cushion the ball from close range. Salah became the first player to score or assist in 10 consecutive matches in the Premier League, after his own feat in December 2021 (15 consecutive matches).
Villa tried to find an equalizer in the remaining time but was powerless. McGinn headed straight to where Alisson had chosen Leon Bailey's cross. Diaby tore through Liverpool's defense with a cross at the end of the match, but none of his teammates had time to step in to respond.
On the other side, Liverpool also has a chance to score more goals. The most dangerous was Salah's escape, but the volley at close range was excellently blocked by Martinez.
With this victory, Liverpool climbed to third, sharing 10 points with Tottenham and two points behind leaders Man City. After the national team gathering, Klopp and his team will visit Wolves Stadium and then play in the Europa League group stage against LASK.
