Overview
- Ryan Gravenberch returned from an ankle injury to score via a deflection after Mohamed Salah capitalised on Emiliano Martinez’s error for his landmark opener.
- The result halted a run of four straight league defeats and six losses in seven across competitions.
- Arne Slot said fortune finally swung Liverpool’s way, pointing to Villa hitting the post early and the decisive second taking a deflection.
- Liverpool kept a first clean sheet in 11 matches and benefited from a back-to-basics selection, with Andy Robertson restored and Dominik Szoboszlai driving the press.
- The champions moved up to third, seven points behind Arsenal, with Real Madrid at Anfield and a visit to Manchester City next set to reveal whether the improvement lasts.