Liverpool player ratings as Mohamed Salah and three others excellent in Aston Villa win

Liverpool moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a hard-earned victory over Aston Villa on Saturday night. Darwin Nunez netted in the first half before Mohamed Salah doubled the advantage after the interval to secure a 2-0 victory at Anfield.

The result means Arne Slot has now won 15 out of 17 games in all competitions as new Liverpool boss with the his side having taken advantage of Manchester City losing at Brighton earlier in the day.

The ECHO was in attendance and have run the rule over the Liverpool players.

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Caoimhin Kelleher 8

Did very well to repel Onana and Watkins headers at successive Villa corners and comfortable dealing with set-pieces. Impressive.

Trent Alexander-Arnold 6

Tracked back well and able to push forward when required before being forced off early through injury. Subbed.

Virgil van Dijk 7

Caught late by Rogers before break and dealt reasonably well with Watkins, and his ball over top prompted opener. Good headers second half.

Ibrahima Konate 8

Once again Liverpool’s best defender and used his physical strength impressively. Pace and positioning helped him cope as Villa pressed.

Andy Robertson 8

Kept busy defensively by the jet-heeled Bailey but won that battle and able to push forward when possible. Very good showing.

Ryan Gravenberch 7

Good block to stop Ramsey early on and reading of game allowed him to make key interceptions first half. Some good forward runs as game became stretched.

Alexis Mac Allister 6

Passing radar slightly askew before break which was frustrating given he found some good pockets. Got through a lot of work defensively second half. Subbed.

Mohamed Salah 8

Had the beating of Digne from first whistle despite limited protection from referee, and strong break prompted Liverpool opener. Always a threat on counter and tucked away second expertly.

Curtis Jones 6

Difficult to find space in a congested midfield before break but helped by good close control. Dropped a bit too deep second half in attempt to find ball. Subbed.

Luis Diaz 6

Back on the left, the midweek hat-trick hero struggled to get into game first half. Shifted down the middle for the final half-hour and became more of a threat.

Darwin Nunez 7

Not quite on same wavelength as team-mates in opening exchanges but took the opening goal superbly. Missed good chance shortly afterwards but unlucky with header after break. Subbed.

Conor Bradley (for Alexander-Arnold 25) 7

Took a slight while to settle but began to impress at both ends of the pitch, particularly with his pace.

Cody Gakpo (for Nunez 64) 7

Willingness to run at his marker and cut in from left wing caused Villa problems.

Dominik Szoboszlai (for Jones 64) 6

Added energy to the midfield effort.

Wataru Endo (for Mac Allister 87)

Good evening, sir.