Liverpool shook off their Anfield problems as they picked up a critical 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Against the run of the game, Ollie Watkins put the visiting side into the lead just before the break.
After a controversial offside call denied Liverpool an equaliser before the break, Mohamed Salah squared the game before the hour mark.
And with time running out, the under-fire Trent Alexander-Arnold snatched a winner for the hosts.
Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats
✔ Nat Phillips: 7.2
In the absence of Liverpool’s three premiere centre-backs, Nat Phillips continues to do a more than solid job as a stand in.
The 24-year-old completed more passes than anyone else on the field, executed six clearances – three times more than any team-mates – and won possession more than anyone else in the Reds’ ranks.
✖ Bertrand Traore: 5.5
A performance to forget for the Aston Villa wide player, who did not contribute effectively to his side. Was rarely involved in the game and was culpable of presenting Liverpool with their best early chance due to a slack pass.
Indeed, Traore gave the ball away on a remarkable 13 occasions and did nothing of note offensively to make up for the pressure he put his side under.
⭐ Mohamed Salah: 7.5
Mohamed Salah’s contribution offensively to Liverpool was again immense. It was most notably underlined by the equalising goal, a shot across Emi Martinez after breaking free in the right side of the box.
However, Salah had threatened on numerous occasions before then. Arguably the only thing that was letting him down was his finishing. Of the seven shots he attempted, only two found the target.
Furthermore, he was effective as a link player, with only Trent Alexander-Arnold completing more passes in the opposition half than the Egypt international star.
Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats
Mohamed Salah 
Bertrand Traoré 
Ollie Watkins 
Nathaniel Phillips 
Liverpool 
Aston Villa 
