Fans support Coach Slot
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Liverpool FC has ended its losing streak in the Premier League without national player Florian Wirtz in the starting line-up. Goal scorer Mohamed Salah and former Munich player Ryan Gravenberch ensured a 2-0 (1-0) win for the struggling English champions against Aston Villa after four defeats in a row. After his recent unconvincing performances, Wirtz initially sat on the substitutes’ bench and came on as a substitute in the 77th minute.
In the table, the team of Dutch coach Arne Slot, who was recently criticized, jumped to third place for the time being. However, the gap to league leaders Arsenal is already seven points. The Gunners had previously won 2-0 at Burnley FC.
The hosts were certainly impressed by the negative run of the past few weeks. Aston Villa, who have recently won four times in a row and are therefore Liverpool’s form counterparts on the island, missed the early lead thanks to a shot from the post by Morgan Rogers (5th minute). In the initial phase, however, coach Slot received support from his own supporters with fan chants.
Liverpool took control after half an hour. Ex-Frankfurt player Hugo Ekitiké headed into the goal, but was previously offside (43′). Then, of all people, world champion goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez helped Liverpool FC. After a back pass, the Argentine played the ball directly to Salah, who was able to easily shoot into the empty goal (45th + 1).
Proud Salah scores 250th goal for Liverpool
It was the Egyptian’s 250th goal for the Reds, with only Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285) scoring more often. “I am so proud and happy about this achievement,” said Salah on “TNT Sports”. “It’s a great feeling to score goals and win trophies for such a big club. It’s something I don’t take for granted.”
The ex-Munich player Gravenberch provided relief at Anfield Road after the break. Villa defender Pau Torres unstoppably deflected a shot from the Dutchman to make it 2-0 (58′). The slot team took the lead thanks to a good defensive performance, but still needs to improve. With Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City next Sunday, two tough tasks await Liverpool.
“I’m happy with the result, with the performance and what I saw today. Not only from the players, but also with the support we got from the fans. That was exactly what we needed today,” explained Slot. The support “of course means a lot to him, especially because it happened when the score was 0-0 and not when we were in the lead and not when we were at the top of the table. When you find yourself in a difficult situation as a club, as a team (…) and then you get the support that the players got, but I also got, then that’s something that makes this club so special. They don’t forget when you were part of something special and they help you, especially when things get difficult.”
