The Reds returned to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as they welcomed visitors Aston Villa with a familiar face in Steven Gerrard returning to his old stomping ground. All eyes were on the former Liverpool FC captain who played over seven hundred times for the Reds. Unsurprisingly, he received a very warm welcome from every home fan. The romantics of the moment would only remain short-lived, however, as it was business as usual for both sides that sought three points at full-time. Liverpool FC would claim the full fruits of their labour with a well-taken penalty from Mohamed Salah. So here is our Liverpool FC 1-0 Aston Villa match report.
If you missed the game, here are the highlights.
Image source: BBC
Liverpool FC 1-0 Aston Villa
Premier League: Saturday 11th, 2021
Venue: Anfield
Goals: Salah (67′ pen)
This fixture would always be a tricky affair for both sides. Liverpool FC is always hard to play against at Anfield and in reverse, the memory of that Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool FC loss last season would weigh heavily on the minds of many a fan, including myself. Gerrard’s Aston Villa side set out with the intention of frustrating the home side, which they largely succeeded in with stalwart defending and allowing Liverpool FC to bring the game to them.
This was the story for much of the first half. Liverpool FC routinely building up attacks on a patient Aston Villa side that managed to absorb the pressure put on by Klopp’s side. While Liverpool FC was granted a degree of freedom and much of the possession, it was clear that it would not be a straightforward task against a disciplined Villa side. This is reflected in several attempts and decent saves by Martinez, including a close-range attempt by Andy Robertson and a decent shot from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that fizzled over the crossbar.
With another good save from Martinez to deny Salah from inside the box, the half finished Liverpool FC 0-0 Aston Villa.
Image source: Liverpool FC News
Second Half
After the second half got underway, Martinez was tested from close-range by the colossal cranium of Virgil van Dijk, coming off the end of a brilliantly taken corner by Andy Robertson. It almost certainly would have been 1-0 had a different goalkeeper been between the sticks. Aston Villa gives a sigh of relief.
A well-timed threaded pass from Jordan Henderson sent Mohamed Salah dangerously on his way into the Aston Villa box. He was subsequently brought down by a desperate Tyrone Mings. An undisputed penalty was given as a result. With Salah aiming for the bottom-right corner, Martinez went the right way but was unable to keep the ball out.
Later in the half, Diogo Jota had a great chance to make it 2-0 but could not capitalise on his late chance. The game finished Liverpool FC 1-0 Aston Villa.
Final Words
A victory against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa was crucial for keeping up with the teams at the top of the table, even if it was a somewhat bittersweet affair for the beloved former captain. The game, like many this weekend, was determined by a sole penalty. Aston Villa sat deep for the most part with the occasional attacking build-up, a formula that has frustrated Liverpool FC in the past and did so on this afternoon. But thanks to a well-taken Mohamed Salah penalty, all three points go to the home side.
And there you have it, our official Liverpool FC 1-0 Aston Villa match report. Stay tuned for more football content as future fixtures get underway by clicking here.
