Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa Player Ratings: Gravenberch Rated 8.5/10 as Reds Secure Dominant 2-0 Victory

Only Arne Slot can truly explain what this victory means to him and the entire team, as Liverpool had been struggling to secure wins in recent gameweeks despite being the reigning champions. However, credit goes to both Liverpool and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, whose mistake led to Egyptian player Mohamed Salah scoring his record 250th goal for the club.

Villa were incredibly lucky not to be behind earlier. They did offer a fleeting moment of danger when Morgan Rogers rattled the crossbar early on, a collective gasp echoing around the stadium. However, Liverpool's pressure was relentless. They even had a goal by Hugo Ekitike chalked off by VAR, a moment of frustration that only seemed to fuel their fire.

The breakthrough finally came just before halftime. Mohamed Salah, ever the predator, pounced to give Liverpool a deserved lead. The second half continued in the same vein, and Ryan Gravenberch sealed the three points with a superb strike, capping off an excellent individual performance.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs Aston Villa

Here are Liverpool Player Ratings vs Aston Villa

Goalkeeper

Giorgi Mamardashvili - 7.0: Had a relatively quiet evening, which speaks volumes about his defence. What stood out to us was his composure when called upon. He made a crucial save to deny Morgan Rogers in the first half. His distribution was clean and effective, launching a few quick counters. A solid, untroubled display from the shot-stopper.

Defenders

Conor Bradley - 6.5: A bundle of energy down the right flank. He was constantly looking to get forward and support the attack. Defensively, he was mostly solid but did seem a little positionally naive at times. Wasted a decent shooting opportunity after a corner. A decent showing but room for improvement.

Ibrahima Konaté - 6.5: A mixed bag of a performance, really. On one hand, he made a whopping seven clearances and was a physical presence. On the other hand, his error led directly to a Villa shot and he missed a big chance himself. Looked a bit clumsy at times, but did just enough.

Virgil van Dijk - 7.0: Marshalled the backline with his usual calmness. He was imperious in the air and his passing from the back was sublime, completing 93% of them. The only blot on his copybook was a needless yellow card for a lazy foul. Otherwise, a very comfortable evening for the captain.

Andrew Robertson - 7.5: A classic Robertson performance, full of running and intent. He bombed up and down the left wing all game, providing width and a constant outlet. He even created a big chance that his teammates couldn't convert. Defensively sound and a real leader on the pitch.

Midfielders

Alexis Mac Allister - 8.0: Simply sensational in the heart of midfield. From our perspective, he ran the show with his incredible tidiness in possession, boasting a 98% pass accuracy. He dictated the tempo of the entire game. Capped his performance with a perfectly weighted assist for Gravenberch's goal. A masterful display.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 8.0: A constant source of creativity and danger for Liverpool. He created three chances, tested the goalkeeper with powerful shots, and delivered the cross for the disallowed goal. His energy was infectious, and he was the main creative spark that unlocked Villa's defence time and again. He was everywhere.

Ryan Gravenberch - 8.5: Our man of the match. What a performance. He was a dynamo in midfield, making four interceptions and winning the majority of his duels. His goal was the cherry on top, a brilliant strike to kill the game off. He brought energy, defensive solidity, and an offensive threat. The highest-rated player on the pitch for a reason.

Forwards

Mohamed Salah - 7.5: He might have lost possession a few times, but he's the man for the big moments. He was in the right place at the right time to stab home the crucial opening goal just before the break. He was a constant threat, even when things weren't quite coming off for him. His goal changed the entire complexion of the match.

C. Gakpo - 7.0: A frustrating but ultimately effective performance. He was guilty of missing some clear chances and his finishing was wayward. However, his movement and link-up play were intelligent, creating two key passes for his teammates. He was a nuisance, even if he forgot his shooting boots.

Hugo Ekitiké - 6.5: You have to feel for him. He produced a fantastic header for what he thought was his first goal, only for VAR to cruelly deny him. He worked tirelessly and pressed from the front but struggled to get involved in the game beyond that moment. A tough day at the office.

Substitutes

Florian Wirtz - N/A: Came on late with the game already won. Not enough time to make an impact.

Manager

A. Slot - 8.0: His game plan was executed to perfection. He set his team up to press high and aggressively, completely overwhelming the opposition. Liverpool looked organised, motivated, and clinical. An excellent tactical victory for the gaffer.

Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Here are Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Goalkeeper

Emiliano Martínez - 5.5: A day to forget for the Argentine. While he made a couple of saves, his glaring error that led to a goal was a pivotal moment in the match. His distribution seemed rushed and he never looked comfortable under Liverpool's press. A poor performance by his high standards.

Defenders

Matty Cash - 6.0: Had a very difficult time against Liverpool's dynamic left side. He picked up a yellow card and was often on the back foot. To his credit, he did provide one of Villa's few dangerous moments, hitting the woodwork with a fine long-range effort. A tough defensive shift.

Ezri Konsa - 6.5: Probably Villa's best defender on the day. He was incredibly busy, making five clearances and putting his body on the line. He still made an error leading to a shot and was part of a defence that was pulled apart too easily. He fought hard in a losing battle.

Pau Torres - 6.0: Looked uncomfortable against the pace and pressing of Liverpool's forwards. He made some important blocks but was also caught flat-footed on a few occasions. He struggled to build play from the back as he usually does. Substituted after a challenging 74 minutes.

Lucas Digne - 6.0: It was a long evening for the Frenchman. He was tasked with containing Salah and a lively Bradley, and he struggled. He made a couple of good tackles but was dribbled past too easily. Offered very little going forward before being taken off.

Midfielders

John McGinn - 5.5: The captain was completely anonymous. The game just passed him by. He was unable to get on the ball and influence proceedings in his usual combative style. A really quiet and ineffective performance before his early substitution.

Boubacar Kamara - 6.0: He was fighting a losing battle in the midfield engine room. We noticed he was constantly chasing shadows as Liverpool's midfielders moved the ball around him. An error leading to a shot summed up a frustrating day where he was simply outnumbered and outclassed.

Amadou Onana - 6.5: One of the few Villa players who looked composed on the ball. He tried to keep possession ticking over but was fighting a losing battle. Picked up a yellow card but at least showed some fight and resistance in a well-beaten midfield.

Morgan Rogers - 7.0: Villa's brightest spark by a country mile. He was so unlucky to see his early strike cannon back off the woodwork. He was the only player who looked capable of making something happen, testing the keeper with another shot. Faded as Liverpool took control but at least he tried.

Evann Guessand - 5.0: A truly shocking performance. He completed just one pass in almost an hour of football. He was a ghost on the pitch, offering nothing in attack or defence. It was no surprise to see him hooked; a really poor display.

Forwards

Ollie Watkins - 6.0: You have to feel for him. He was completely isolated and starved of any meaningful service. He worked hard and tried to hold the ball up, but he was feeding off scraps. He had no chance to make an impact on the game.

Substitutes

Ross Barkley, Donyell Malen, Tyrone Mings, Jadon Sancho, Ian Maatsen - N/A: All came on but were unable to change the course of the game.

Manager

U. Emery Etxegoien - 5.0: From our perspective, he got his tactics wrong. His side looked passive and were completely unprepared for Liverpool's intensity. They were second best in every department. His substitutions made no difference to the outcome of a one-sided affair.

Sportsdunia's Player of the match is Gravenberch