Liverpool continued their impressive start to the new Premier League season with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds took the lead following summer signing Dominik Szoboszlai and extended their lead in the first half thanks to a Matty Cash own goal before Mohamed Salah added a third ten minutes after the break.
Jurgen Klopp’s side now go into the international break two points behind league leaders Manchester City and will be keen to chase down the Citizens when domestic action resumes in two weeks’ time.
“Mohamed Salah doesn’t look like a man thinking about leaving. There was no hint of the Saudi tycoon’s change as he was involved in all three goals against Aston Villa, netting his third in front of the Kop. Even his celebration was reassuringly low-key for those who feared it could be part of a grand and emotional farewell to the stadium where he left a lasting mark.
“There will come a point in the near future when the conditions will be more favorable to let Salah go. It certainly doesn’t look like it at the moment, given the reassuring hammering of this fine, expertly coached Aston Villa team.
– Whatever Salah’s personal thoughts, in public he seems to be energized by what is happening around him.
– It remains to be seen where Liverpool’s vigor will take them, but the win cemented last Sunday’s encouraging success at St James’ Park and means they go into the international break behind Manchester City.
“Last season, it took seven games for Klopp’s team to pick up ten points, and this test run of the campaign has really laid the groundwork for moving forward.
“There was determination and cohesion in previous games when they went down to ten men and still posted wins. There was aggression, control, a bit more fury, but also an unwavering work ethic that underpins everything Klopp could hope for.
“Tougher days are ahead and they could happen this week when Saudi Arabia go irresistibly stupid after Mohamed Salah, but it was a fun snack. A quick and easy dance around Aston Villa’s cones.
“Indeed it was a steal, a clash of class and weakness, two goals in 22 minutes before Villa were finally caught and put on the shelf with a third in the 55th minute. Of course they were done by then, but the funny thing about that a third target was the noise.
“It was the loudest and least impressive shot of the team. It didn’t have Dominik Szoboszlai’s opener or the pass that Trent Alexander-Arnold dropped for the second because it was over the line by a yard or two.
“But it was Salah and it means more now. It might appear somewhere near the bottom if we put the 188 goals he scored for this club, but they cheered, they sang his song and everything was left unsaid. I’m afraid, that it might possibly be his last.
“Jurgen Klopp clearly thinks otherwise and no doubt has more facts about what interests Al-Ittihad than most, but the air is getting awfully thin if the bid is north of £150m. We’ll wait and see if Mo walks if money talks . . .
The Liverpool 2023/2024 home shirt is a tribute to Bill Shankly and the legendary Reds Manager’s last season at Anfield. The Nike shirt features a bright red design with a bold white contrast on the color and cuffs.
The focus on the transfer market could create a sense of crisis with the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, failed bids for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia and the possibility of Salah being poached. However, Liverpool have 10 points from four games, three against. The sides must reach the top eight. They were rampant and dominant when Villa were sidelined.
“Dominik Szoboszlai scored his first goal for Liverpool. Nunez did everything but the goal.
Every game Nunez is involved in usually revolves around Nunez and this was no exception, although it proved very different to his Newcastle match-winner.
– The Uruguayan is one of the funniest footballers, among other things because he is one of the least consistent.
A clinical point at St James’ Park was followed by chances that could have given him a hat-trick and assists from Salah. The striker hit the woodwork on at least two occasions, the first of which led to a Matty Cash own goal. He showed the ability and willingness to move behind the defenses that proved so effective at Newcastle and gave signs of a shared understanding with Salah.
“However, when the Egyptian sent in a lovely cross with the outside of his left foot and Nunez had an open goal,
he headed wide. He also hit the bar with a clever chip from Salah’s pass. When Nunez’s shot went in, it was unintentional, almost comical: Salah found him, the striker hit the post, it bounced off Cash and in. After scoring three goals for Villa in a week, the prolific right-back has just added one for Liverpool.”
– With the bogus war that is the transfer window now over, Liverpool got down to business and produced their most complete performance of the season here against Aston Villa.
“Ten points from an existing 12 now sends them into the spring break with the wind in their sails and a quiet optimism about what might be possible in the coming months. Whisper it quietly, but the momentum is gathering for Jürgen, Klopp and his players. now.unbeaten at 15, has been since April.
“In a convincing 3-0 win here, what made the biggest impression was the minimal disruption in a match that could have been full of problems.
