Liverpool v Aston Villa: Player ratings as Salah SHINES bright

Liverpool took advantage of Manchester City's slip-up at Brighton when they took on Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday night.

Goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah on the break were enough to move Arne Slot's side FIVE points clear at the top of the table.

Here are our player ratings from Anfield.

Caoimhin Kelleher: 8 - Made two incredible point-blank saves to preserve Liverpool's clean sheet in the first half.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6 - A huge injury concern over the Reds' favourite, who was replaced early on by Bradley.

READ MORE: Alexander-Arnold INJURED against Aston Villa

Andy Robertson: 8 - Back in the team and back on form. Should have had two assists were it not for errant finishing.

Ibrahima Konate: 7 - Didn't always cope gracefully with the threat of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers. Lucky not to give a penalty away. But settled into the game with vital blocks and clearances.

Virgil van Dijk: 7 - Instigated the attack which led to the opening goal with a beautiful through ball to Salah. Took a heavy tackle from Morgan Rogers. Got Liverpool going time and again with his raking passes.

Ryan Gravenberch: 8 - Made one marvellous intervention inside his own area to block off a Villa attack. A one-man intervention machine patrolling the midfield. Needs to brush up on his shooting.

Curtis Jones: 7 - Earned Tielemans a yellow card late in the first half with a lovely little turn.

Alexis Mac Allister: 7 - Given licence to get forward and kept things ticking over.

Mohamed Salah: 9 - Electrifying. We are running out of good things to say. Led the charge for the opener and took the second with aplomb. We love him.

Luis Diaz: 7 - Made good inroads down the left even if the ball across wasn't always perfect. Cursed by an air-kick when he could have scored. Looks to have re-established a strong connection with Robbo. Denied a good chance by Konsa late on.

Darwin Nunez: 8 - Finished powerfully from an acute angle after a lung-busting run. He needed that. Could have had a couple more in truth including two sitters.

Subs:

Conor Bradley: 7 - Replaced Alexander-Arnold in defence. Had a lucky escape on a VAR-checked penalty appeal.

Dominik Szoboszlai: 6 - A replacement for Jones in midfield. Delivered one lovely cross for Gakpo.

Cody Gakpo: 7 - Came into the fray for Nunez with Diaz moving up top. Had the beating of his man.

Wataru Endo: 6 - Liverpool's insurance policy in midfield late on.

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