The 2019-20 Premier League champions Liverpool FC bounced back to winning ways with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. Second-half goals were required from Sadio Mane and Curtis Jones to steer the Reds to victory in the game that was Liverpool FC’s first at Anfield since being crowned the Premier League champions.
Jurgen Klopp resorted to a number of changes in his starting lineup to face Villa. Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum dropped out and in came Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Naby Keita in the Reds’ midfield. Belgian star Divock Origi was given a rare start by Klopp on Sunday and thus Roberto Firmino started the game on the bench.
The opening 45 minutes of the game were largely restricted towards both sides failing to get shots on target. Aston Villa were cautious in their attacking approach and the Villa players regrouped immediately after an attack to prevent a Liverpool FC counter on the other end of the pitch.
Liverpool FC did not really attempt to trouble Aston Villa goalkeeper Pepe Reina with efforts on goal barring a timid strike by Mohammad Salah from a clever Naby Keita pass.
However, the second half was a much more exciting affair of play when compared to the opening 45 minutes of the game. The visitors looked to threaten with their linkup play and Jack Grealish forced a great save from Alisson. The Brazilian goalkeeper had to palm behind a low drive by the Villa captain to keep the score level.
Klopp soon introduced three new players for the hosts with captain Jordan Henderson, Wijnaldum, and Firmino arriving on the pitch to salvage something for the Reds in the last 30 minutes that remained.
Liverpool FC soon broke the deadlock through Sadio Mane with the Senegalese winger scoring in the 71st minute to give the lead to his side. A wonderful pass by Keita found Mane unmarked whose shot crashed in off the crossbar and left Reina stranded.
Firmino came close to adding a second goal for the Reds with the shot resulting from a fantastic linkup play with Salah. However, Reina saved the Brazilian’s effort with a tremendous dive.
Substitute Curtis Jones, fresh off signing a new long-term deal with the Reds, soon got his name on the scoresheet when Salah passed the ball the youngster’s way for his first Premier League goal.
With the win on Sunday, Liverpool FC again extended their lead over second-placed Manchester City FC to 23 points following City’s loss to Southampton in the game held later on the weekend. The Reds are aiming to break the current points record total set by Manchester City in the 2017-18 Premier League season.
MATCH STATS
SCORE: 2-0
Possession: Liverpool FC- 72% Aston Villa FC- 28%
Yellow Cards: Liverpool FC- 1 Aston Villa FC- 1
Shots: Liverpool FC- 7 Aston Villa FC- 8
Offsides: Liverpool FC- 1 Aston Villa FC- 5
