Trent Alexander-Arnold drops injury hint as Liverpool fume at David Coote and Aston Villa

Liverpool enjoyed another day to remember in the Premier League on Saturday as they capitalised on another Mancgester City slip-up to extend their lead at the top of the table. The Reds were already assured of first place during the November international break after Pep Guardiola’s men lost 2-1 away at Brighton & Hove Albion.

But Arne Slot’s side extended their lead to five points as goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah clinched a well-earned 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.

Tell us something we don’t know! You are already well-aware of how Liverpool’s encounter with the Villans unfolded and what it means for the Premier League standings we’re sure.

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But with the ECHO in place at Anfield for the Reds’ latest victory, here are some of the lesser-seen moments we spotted that might have gone under the radar…

Are you sure about that, Ref?

It’s fair to say that referee David Coote perhaps didn’t enjoy the best of evenings, with both sides left displeased with a number of his decisions at Anfield.

But one of his faux pas actually worked in Liverpool’s favour. The official emphatically signalled no foul when Leon Bailey clipped Salah from behind immediately before the Reds’ opening goal.

Slot could not believe what he saw as the Dutchman had his head in his hands at the decision. Should VAR have intervened, a red card would surely have been inevitable given that Bailey was the last man.

Fortunately, Nunez was leaving nothing to chance as he ran on to the loose ball, rounded Emiliano Martinez and rifled home - much to the delight of Slot and Co. on the sidelines.

Still Coote’s adamance that Salah had not been fouled was bizarre, and not the only questionable decision on the night.

His display prompted one supporter to lean over and tell the ECHO journalists in the press box, “Don't forget to mention how s**t the referee was. " Sir, consider it mentioned!

Trent offers injury hint

The one downer on the night for Liverpool was the sight of Trent Alexander-Arnold limping off midway through the first half.

Speaking after the final whistle, Slot gave little away about the condition of his vice-captain, who has been carrying an injury in recent weeks, beyond admitting he would be surprised if the defender was fit to play for England during the international break.

However, Alexander-Arnold did offer a hint of his own after leaving the field. As Slot went over to check on the 26-year-old all the sidelines, he seemingly gestured towards his right hamstring before heading down the tunnel.

Be it indeed a hamstring injury or something else, Liverpool will just hope that the setback is not serious - especially with home clashes with Real Madrid and Man City both looming after the international break.

“Boooooo and white s***e”

Once a Blue, always a Blue! Kopites were hardly going to let Lucas Digne and Amadou Onana forget their previous Everton allegiances at Anfield on Saturday.

The pair had already been subjected to a rendition of ‘Blue and white s***e’ before both being replaced in the 74th minute. As they both left the field, they were then subjected to boos from the home crowd.

Admittedly, that will not have been the first time they have heard such a reception on Merseyside, given Liverpool’s local-rivals’ struggles in recent years.

Van Dijk left in disbelief

Virgil van Dijk was left in disbelief at Villa counterpart Pau Torres’ efforts to win a penalty off Ryan Gravenberch during the clash at Anfield.

The Spaniard had run into the Dutch midfielder before throwing himself to the floor theatrically in search of a spot-kick, while also catching Gravenberch in the face.

The defender would then stay down and later received treatment, but to add insult to, err, ‘injury’, his effort ultimately kick-started the counter-attack that led to Liverpool’s second goal through Salah.

Van Dijk made his displeasure known while Torres received treatment. The Dutchman was caught on camera looking down at the defender as he gestured above his head with hand, and said, ‘You’re 6ft 4 mate,’ in embarrassment at his counterpart’s antics.

Torres was then forced to briefly leave the field as Liverpool saw out the game to clinch victory, a clean sheet and extend their lead at the top of the table. All’s well that ends well!