Mohamed Salah scored in Liverpool’s 3-0 home win over Aston Villa despite speculation over his future amid strong interest from Saudi Arabia.
2023/2024 Premier League
3-0
Match Report
Just 48 hours after Liverpool rejected a £150m bid from Al Ittihad for Salah on Deadline Day, the Egyptian blasted home from close range in the second half to add a third and maintain the Reds' unbeaten start.
With the Saudi transfer window closing on Thursday, Liverpool will be hoping Salah's goal will not be his last for the club with Al Ittihad potentially submitting an improved offer for the 31-year-old. One source has told Sky Sports News that the Saudi Pro League side are prepared to go to £200m.
Salah's strike came after Dominik Szoboszlai scored his first Liverpool goal with a stunning third-minute opener.
The home side doubled their lead in the 22nd minute through a Matty Cash own goal after the ball rebounded off him from Darwin Nunez's shot off the post.
There was an injury concern for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on his 300th Premier League game in charge as Trent Alexander-Arnold limped off midway through the second half after a player-of-the-match performance.
Liverpool are now 15 games unbeaten in the Premier League and are up to third in the table, while Aston Villa suffered their second defeat of the season to sit 11th after four games.
Match Events
0' KICK-OFF! Who can win this match?
3' GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa (Dominik Szoboszlai)
16' Carlos appears to be injured after sudden confront
22' OWN GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa (Matty Cash)
26' Yellow Card! Kamara booked
32' McGinn's shot stopped by goalkeeper
38' POST! Núñez almost score a third goal
42' CLOSE! Diaby’s shot wide out
47' CLOSE! Alisson denies Cash’s effort
55' GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa (Salah)
68' CHANCE! Arnold's shot over the bar
Line-ups
Liverpool XI: Matip, Alisson, Salah, Robertson, Joe Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Curtis Jones
Subs: W. Endo, Tsimikas, Jota, Kelleher, Cody Gakpo, Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Stefan Bajcetic, Ben Doak
Aston Villa XI: E. Martinez, Digne, McGinn, Carlos, Ollie Watkins, P. Torres, Kamara, Ngoyo, Matty Cash, Douglas Luiz, Diaby
Subs: R. Olsen, Dendoncker, Lenglet, Chambers, Tielemans, Bailey, Zaniolo, Jhon Durán, Omari Kellyman