After losing their previous four league games, and six of their last seven in all competitions, the Reds finally showed signs of life at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s troubled team were gifted their opening goal in first half stoppage-time when Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez’s wayward pass was intercepted by Salah, who slotted into the empty net for his fifth goal this season.
The Egypt forward’s milestone 250th goal in all competitions for Liverpool was followed by Ryan Gravenberch’s 58th minute deflected strike, wrapping up the Reds’ first league victory since they beat Everton on September 20.
Liverpool’s win, which leaves them third but seven points behind Arsenal, was well-timed ahead of a crucial week featuring clashes with Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Arsenal eased past Burnley 2-0, creating a five-game winning streak in the league to position themselves as firm favourites to end their two-decade wait to be crowned English champions.
Viktor Gyokeres headed the Gunners ahead following a Declan Rice corner in the first half at Turf Moor for his first league goal since mid-September — yet more joy for the set-piece specialists.
England midfielder Rice himself headed home to double the visitors’ lead in the 35th minute and put them in total control.
“The first half was exceptional — we scored two goals and gave nothing away,” Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said.
“That was the platform. We had to make a few changes and didn’t have that much control in the second half. Defending was exceptional again, we didn’t give anything.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United, seeking their fourth straight league win, led 1-0 at the City Ground courtesy of Casemiro’s first-half opener.
But Forest, who had not scored a league goal since September 20, roared back after the break as their confidence flooded back.
Morgan Gibbs-White headed the home side level in the 48th minute before Nicolo Savona tapped in just two minutes later to complete a dramatic turnaround.
But Amad Diallo levelled with a sweet volley in the 81st minute to rescue a point for United, who have been much improved in recent weeks after a poor start to the season.
Ruben Amorim, marking a year since his appointment as United manager, was disappointed to drop points but encouraged by his team’s mentality.
“I feel in the recent past if we had had this situation (from 1-0 up to 2-1 down) we would have struggled so much more than today,” he said. (AFP)
