Just 48 hours after Liverpool rejected Al Ittihad’s £150m bid for Salah on deadline day, the Egyptian fired home from close range in the second half to add a third and preserve the Reds’ unbeaten start.
With Saudi Arabia’s transfer window closing on Thursday, Liverpool will hope that Salah’s goal will not be the last for their club, as Al Ittihad could make a better offer for the 31-year-old. A source told Sky Sports News that the Saudi Pro League side are willing to pay £200m.
Salah’s strike came after Dominik Szoboszlai scored his first Liverpool goal with a stunning third-minute opener.
The home side doubled their lead in the 22nd minute with a Matty Cash own goal after the ball bounced off Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was under injury concern in his 300th Premier League game after Trent Alexander-Arnold limped off midway through the second half following a man-of-the-match performance.
Liverpool are now 15 games unbeaten in the Premier League and third in the table, while Aston Villa suffered their second defeat of the season and are 11th after four games.
Liverpool were full of momentum and confidence after last weekend’s 2-1 win over Newcastle and it showed when they scored the opener in the third minute.
Leading in the absence of the sacked Virgil van Dijk,
Alexander-Arnold’s corner fell to Szoboszlai on the edge of the box and the £60m summer signing fired a superb, powerful shot at the far post.
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates giving Liverpool the lead against Aston Villa
Image:
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates giving Liverpool the lead against Aston Villa
Alexander-Arnold was again at the center of Liverpool’s second goal when his clever cross released Salah, who then teed up Nunez before his shot deflected off the hapless Cash at the post.
Alexander-Arnold almost got his second assist but an unmarked Joel Matip headed over his delightful free-kick.
Alexander-Arnold was again at the center of Liverpool’s second goal when his clever cross released Salah, who then teed up Nunez before his shot deflected off the hapless Cash at the post.
Alexander-Arnold almost got his second assist but an unmarked Joel Matip headed over his delightful free-kick.
Nunez almost added a third before half-time, but his rebound hit the bar from a narrow angle.
Darwin Nunez failed against Aston Villa
Darwin Nunez fired five shots, two of which hit the woodwork
Villa failed to find the back of the net in the first half as John McGinn and substitute Leon Bailey spurned decent chances.
But the visitors finally tested Alisson Becker early in the second half when Cash’s close-range shot was brilliantly saved by the keeper. Moments later, Salah flicked a brilliant cross to the unmarked Nunez, ending a frustrating afternoon in front of goal for the Uruguayan.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Unai Emery said: “It was a very bad result, there are many circumstances – the injury to Diego Carlos and we conceded a very good goal. We had chances, four very good ones, but they were clinical.
“We lost against Newcastle and Liverpool – we want to try to be close to them, but we didn’t. They deserved to win, a very good opponent – they are better than us – but there are 38 games in the league. . We are stronger and we’re getting better.”
Liverpool’s first game after the international break is against Wolves on Saturday September 16. Start at 12:30 p.m.
Aston Villa return to Villa Park on the same day against Crystal Palace. Start at 15:00.
FPL Stats: Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa
