Liverpool were at their scintillating best as they brushed aside what could have been a tricky test against Aston Villa, but Mohamed Salah did little to quell fears of his future at Anfield following his goal. Express Sport picks out four things learned from Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Villa.
Salah’s muted celebration
Could this be Mohamed Salah’s final match at Anfield? His rather muted goal celebration definitely got Liverpool supporters fearing the worst. Liverpool were cruising against Unai Emery’s side with Salah tapping in from close range to add a third directly in front of the Kop.
Salah would have usually sprinted towards the corner flag to celebrate in front of his adoring fans, but Salah barely even acknowledged the Kop. He only gave a brief look back to the Liverpool fans, almost as if it came as a second thought.
Not the confidence-enhancing celebration Liverpool fans would have wanted with Saudi Arabia trying again to sign the Egyptian superstar.
Trent’s classy display
When Trent Alexander-Arnold is on form, there’s no stopping him in that hybrid midfield role. Defensively there are still question marks and there is undoubtedly a gap in Liverpool’s backline with Alexander-Arnold pushing more central, but that doesn’t matter when the England international is pulling the strings like he was against Aston Villa.
It was his corner that led to Szoboszlai’s opening goal inside three minutes, but his pass over the top to Salah for Liverpool’s second was out of this world. Dragging the ball back, Alexander-Arnold spotted the run of Salah and hit a dreamy pass over Villa’s defensive unit with the Egyptian left with an easy ball to Darwin Nunez before Matty Cash knocked the ball into his own net.
None of that happens without Alexander-Arnold, who was back to his very best in front of the home crowd wearing the captain’s armband. Liverpool will be hoping his substitution is nothing more than a precautionary measure.
Szoboszlai the missing link
While Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner were crucial to Liverpool’s success in winning the Champions League and Premier League during Klopp’s reign, there was always the underlying question on a lack of attacking impetus from the midfield. But Liverpool may have finally found their answer with Szoboszlai, who has taken quickly to life on Merseyside.
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His goal rightly grabbed the headlines, but it was his desire to take on defenders that got fans out of their seats. His style of play is exactly what Liverpool’s midfield has been missing in recent years and he’s only four games into his career at Anfield.
Nunez vs Gakpo debate
It may well be a season-long battle between Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo to take the starting role through the middle for Liverpool. But Nunez put in a strong shift in his first start of the season, playing a part in Liverpool’s last two goals.
He still missed a number of great opportunities to get on the scoresheet himself, but Liverpool certainly look more of an attacking threat with Nunez starting. Gakpo will need to find something special after the international break to take the place back from Nunez.
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