Liverpool climbed into third spot in the Premier League with a convincing 3-0 win over Aston Villa. The Reds, who have three wins and a draw from their first four league matches this season, struck twice in the opening 22 minutes through new signing Dominik Szoboszlai and a Matty Cash own goal. Mohamed Salah made sure of the points after the restart with his customary goal against Villa.

Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa at Anfield on September 03, 2023 in Liverpool, England

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Dominik Szoboszlai drilled in his first Liverpool goal and Mohamed Salah also scored as an early onslaught powered The Reds to a 3-0 home victory against Aston Villa.

The Hungarian was lurking on the edge of the box at a third-minute corner and lusciously lashed into the net after nobody got a touch on the initial cross.

Joel Matip missed a great chance to make it 3-0 before the break, but within 10 minutes of the restart Salah got his goal and made sure of the win, tapping in at the far post after Nunez won a flick-on from another corner.

John McGinn wasted Aston Villa’s best chances, shooting over in the first half when teed up by Moussa Diaby and then heading straight at Allison in the second from a Leon Bailey cross.

Perhaps tellingly there was no curtain call for Salah, who has been the subject of transfer offers from Saudi Arabia but remained on the pitch throughout despite Liverpool using all five substitutes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold limping off with an injury was the only sour note for Liverpool, who jump up to third place on 10 points, two behind leaders Manchester City. Aston Villa are 11th with six points.

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TALKING POINT – NO VIRGIL VAN DIJK, NO PROBLEM

This was the first of perhaps multiple games Liverpool will play without their captain after he was sent off at Newcastle. Aston Villa, who at kick-off had won more Premier League points in 2023 than any team except City, posed a real test, but it is one Liverpool passed with flying colours.

Liverpool’s defence looked solid, with Villa not having a shot until the 33rd minute and never really testing Alisson. At the other end, Liverpool even scored from two corners despite missing the Dutchman’s renowned aerial threat.

Van Dijk missed six Premier League games last season and Liverpool won only one. They’ve already matched that tally this time around.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – DARWIN NUNEZ (LIVERPOOL)

Nunez didn’t get a goal, but he created two and caused Villa plenty of problems with his work-rate and smart movement.

PLAYER RATINGS

Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 7, Matip 7, Gomez 6, Robertson 6, Jones 6, Szoboszlai 7, Mac Allister 7, Salah 7, Nunez 8, Diaz 6. Subs: Elliott 6, Gakpo 6, Jota 6, Quansah 6, Endo 6.

Darwin Nunez looks on as Matty Cash scores an own goal

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Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 ASTON VILLA (SZOBOSZLAI) 3′ – A corner evades everybody and runs to Szoboszlai on the edge of the box, and he meets it with a crisp strike and the ball flies into the net, with Martinez unmoved! A superb way to open his Liverpool account.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-0 ASTON VILLA (CASH OG) 22′ – Salah gets behind Digne too easily to collect a long ball and squares for Nunez, who blasts onto the post, but the rebound hits a helpless Cash and the ball ends up in the net.

OFF THE BAR! 38′ – With Salah looking offside, he smartly leaves a through ball for Nunez. They play a one-two to create a chance for Nunez who, from a tight angle, chips Martinez but sees his effort come back off the bar.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 3-0 ASTON VILLA (SALAH) 55′ – Nunez wins the initial flick-on at a corner and Salah is there at the back post to tap in. It’s 3-0 and that is surely game over.

CLOSE! 70′ – Poor defending and a slip allows Alexander-Arnold to carry the ball forward, come inside and shoot narrowly over.

KEY STATS

• Salah has scored or registered an assist in each of Liverpool’s four games this season. In the Premier League, he is on a 10-game streak of having at least one goal involvement.
• Szoboszlai is the fourth Hungarian to score in the Premier League.
• Unai Emery has won just one of his 10 games against Jurgen Klopp-managed teams, which was their first meeting.