Salah nets 250th Liverpool goal as Reds beat Villa 2-0

Mohamed Salah scored his 250th goal for Liverpool as the champions beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Anfield on Saturday, ending a run of four successive Premier League defeats. Salah opened the scoring just before half time after pouncing on an errant pass from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, and Ryan Gravenberch added a second on 58 minutes when his shot deflected in off Pau Torres.

Liverpool started the game under pressure after a turbulent fortnight that included a midweek exit from the League Cup. Manager Arne Slot had made extensive changes for that tie, a decision that increased scrutiny on his selection when the team’s domestic form slipped. The victory provided immediate relief: it was Liverpool’s first league win since September 20 and their first clean sheet in 11 matches.

Villa began strongly and might have taken an early lead. Morgan Rogers struck the post and Matty Cash saw a deflected effort hit the woodwork, while Hugo Ekitike had a header disallowed for offside. Those openings highlighted Villa’s willingness to play out from the back and test Liverpool’s pressing game, but the visitors’ approach also left them vulnerable. A misplaced pass from Martinez on the stroke...