Szobo opens the scoring, Salah shines in 3-star win over Aston Villa

Updated date: 09/04/2023 06:08:49

Mohamed Salah scored for Liverpool in a 3-0 home win over Aston Villa despite speculation over his future amid strong interest from the Saudi Arabian club.

Mo Salah still shines in Liverpool's attack

Just 48 hours after Liverpool rejected a £150m bid from Al Ittihad for Salah on transfer deadline day, the Egyptian scored a close-range second-half goal to make it 3-0 and maintain Liverpool's unbeaten start.

With the Saudi transfer window closing on Thursday, Liverpool will hope Salah’s goal is not his last for the club, with Al Ittihad likely to make a higher offer for the 31-year-old. A source told Sky Sports News that the Saudi Pro League side are willing to pay up to £200m.

Dominik Szoboszlai fired a powerful shot

Back to the match, Aston Villa showed no fear of Liverpool playing at Anfield. Coach Unai Emery also did not hide his ambition to compete tactically with rival Jurgen Klopp, who has always dominated him in every arena.

But Unai was dealt a shock when Liverpool needed just three minutes to tear open the net of World Cup goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. It was a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner that curved over the crowd in front of goal, hitting an Aston Villa defender before bouncing off. Dominik Szoboszlai appeared at the right moment to unleash a powerful shot from the edge of the box that went low, clipped the defender's leg and flew into the net.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 22nd minute through an own goal from Matty Cash after the ball bounced off him following Darwin Nunez's deflected shot.

Darwin Nunez (9) had a bad shot but Matty Cash was unlucky to score an own goal

Mo Salah sealed the score in the 55th minute when he tapped in close range after Darwin Nunez headed in a corner. Premier League pundit Dean Ashton said: “It was a simple goal but you had to see it coming. It was a lovely finish from Darwin Nunez and Salah was behind the post, a gamble that paid off. Salah could barely miss, just get a touch; poor defending but great attacking from Salah."

Mo Salah appeared at the far post just in time to score

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had an injury scare in his 300th Premier League game as Trent Alexander-Arnold limped off midway through the second half after a man-of-the-match performance.

Liverpool are now unbeaten in 15 Premier League games and sit third in the table, while Aston Villa suffered their second defeat of the season to sit 11th after four games.

According to HOANG HA (SGGP)

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