Liverpool beat Aston Villa to go five points clear at top of Premier League
Nunez & Salah score to give Reds comfortable win
Brighton earlier came from behind to earn stunning 2-1 win over Man City
Guardiola has suffered four successive defeats for first time as City boss
Other results: Brentford 3-2 Bournemouth, Fulham 2-0 Crystal Palace, West Ham 0-0 Everton, Wolves 2-0 Southampton
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Dave Payn: I'm a LONG way from being a City fan but talk of a crisis is utterly laughable at this moment. They've lost four in a row in different competitions. They've been more than five points behind (if Liverpool win) at later stages in the PL season.
Liverpool 0-0 Aston Villa
Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on TNT Sports
Interesting that Villa have chosen Liverpool to kick towards the Kop in the first half. Anything to try and destabilise Arne Slot's side at home.
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Steve: All the focus on City after that result, let's see some praise for Brighton and Fabian Hurzeler for a superb second half performance. Tactically spot on and got a deserved result.
Liverpool 0-0 Aston Villa
Great noise around Anfield. Darwin Nunez goes down inside the Villa box after a challenge by Diego Carlos.
Play on says referee David Coote.
Image source, PA MediaLiverpool 0-0 Aston Villa
The 100th meeting between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in all competitions is under way.
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Terry: Pep's Manchester City losing 4 in a row. This is Liverpool's league to lose.
Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
60,000 fans inside Anfield fall silent as a lone bugler plays the Last Post before Remembrance Sunday.
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Let’s put things into perspective. City are having a shocker, they've lost key players, they’re exhausted, their top striker is out of form. They’re SECOND in the league!!
Joe
Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Alan Hutton
Former Aston Villa defender on TNT Sports
The Liverpool players will have heard the Man City score, they will know exactly what has happened. That will give them that extra bit of energy to come out here and put on a good performance heading into the international break.
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
'Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool' roars the Kop as the teams emerge from the tunnel.
This is a huge night for the Reds. Will they take advantage of Manchester City's latest slip?
Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool fans inside Anfield have been following the dramatic events at Brighton on their mobile phones.
The result was read out over the speakers and was greeted by rapturous applause.
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This isn’t about the injuries anymore, this is about mentality for City. They’re feeling sorry for themselves and can’t get over it.
Lee
Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Alan Hutton
Former Aston Villa defender on TNT Sports
I was surprised to hear that John McGinn is not starting. I think Villa need his energy in an away game like this. I thought McGinn would come back in for this game as Leon Bailey didn't have the best performance in midweek.
Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking to TNT Sport on captain John McGinn dropping to the bench: "[Leon] Bailey is starting."
On Ollie Watkin starting with Jhon Duran on the bench: "We are managing with every player. We are confident with Ollie Watkins, he always does well for the team. Even when not scoring he is very important for us.
"Duran is working as well very well. He is getting confidence, feeling comfortable. Hopefully they can both help us today."
On playing at Anfield: "We know the atmosphere here is fantastic. The supporters stick with the team, but we have our supporters as well. We are playing for them tonight."
Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Image source, PA MediaLiverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, writing in the match programme: "Today’s game comes ahead of Remembrance Sunday, which means we will be paying our respects to all those who have lost their lives in conflict.
"As ever, we will stand together as a club whilst also standing alongside Aston Villa and all of the other Premier League clubs who will be participating over the weekend.
"I am also aware that there will be those inside Anfield today who will be affected by the kind of loss that we will be commemorating, so I want you to know that we are thinking of you."
Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold tells TNT Sports that no-one is getting carried away in the dressing room at the club's strong start to the season.
"It's still early doors but we have set a good foundation for the rest of the season," adds the England player.
"We have been here before. We've had good starts to a season before and ended up with no trophies."
FT: Brighton 2-1 Man City
Steve Sidwell
Former Aston Villa and Brighton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
Who saw this at half-time, I thought City were in full control.
You know with this Brighton team when they sniff blood they can create chances, score goals and get themselves back into games.
As for City, there is a dark cloud over them at the moment but you do know they can always go on a long unbeaten run. They will have to react quickly after the international break.
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Man City will be looking nervously over their shoulders at the new kids on the block....Forest.
Kevin
Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)
This game was originally down for a 15:00 GMT kick-off before being switched to 12:30 for live TV coverage.
But Premier League clubs have an agreement in place that teams playing away in the Champions League on a Wednesday will not have a match at lunchtime on Saturday.
Liverpool played Crystal Palace at 12:30 on 5 October - instead of 20:00 - because they hosted Bologna in the Champions League on the Wednesday before.
However, Villa were away in Belgium against Club Brugge on Wednesday so this match was switched to 20:00.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Brighton 2-1 Man City
Brighton forward Joao Pedro speaking to Sky Sports: "First, I'm happy to be back. I know I'm an important player for the team so when we win like this against a big team it is good. Now we have time to breathe and win more games.
On his goal: "I had too many people there but I'm always told to follow the action so I was there and I'm happy to score. After two months out, I'm very happy to be back.
On Matt O'Riley: "Very good to help the new players. His first game he got injured and I got close to him because I was injured also. To help him in his first game in the Premier League is very special for me. I know how hard it is to come to a new club and then get injured in the first game. I'm very happy to help him and I hope he can help us more.
"Last season we dropped too many points and the gaffer told us to believe in ourselves this season and we are doing well this season against the big teams."
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 28 |
| |
| 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 23 |
| |
| 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 19 |
| |
| 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
| |
| 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 18 |
| |
| 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 18 |
| |
| 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 18 |
| |
| 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 18 |
| |
| 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 16 |
| |
| 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 16 |
| |
| 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| |
| 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 15 |
| |
| 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 12 |
| |
| 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 19 | -6 | 12 |
| |
| 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 18 | -4 | 10 |
| |
| 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 10 |
| |
| 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 15 | -7 | 7 |
| |
| 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 27 | -11 | 6 |
| |
| 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 5 |
| |
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 21 | -14 | 4 |
|
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
Having won just one of their six Premier League home games against Aston Villa between 2009 and 2014 (D2 L3), Liverpool have now won five of their last six at Anfield against the Villans (D1).
Only Manchester United (12) and Chelsea (7) have won more Premier League away games against Liverpool than Aston Villa (6, level with Arsenal).
Aston Villa have lost 16 of their last 18 Premier League away games against sides starting the day top of the table (D2), including each of the last nine in a row. Indeed, they’ve only won one of their 23 such games, beating Leeds United 2-1 at Elland Road in January 2000.
Liverpool have conceded the first goal in their last two Premier League games, but avoided defeat in both (2-2 v Arsenal, 2-1 v Brighton). Indeed, their win against Brighton was the 100th time they’ve come from behind to win a Premier League match, the third team to reach this milestone in the competition.
Both of Aston Villa’s Premier League defeats this season have come against the two north London sides, losing 4-1 against Tottenham last time out. The Villans last lost consecutive league games in May 2023.
Only Manchester City (32) have faced fewer shots on target than Liverpool in the Premier League this season (34), with the Reds also conceding the fewest goals (6) and having the lowest xG against figure this term (8.1).
No team has scored more Premier League goals this season from either crosses (6) or set-piece situations (5, excluding penalties) than Aston Villa (level with Arsenal in both cases).
Liverpool’s Arne Slot has become just the fifth manager to win as many as eight of his first 10 Premier League games in charge, after John Gregory (1998), Guus Hiddink (2009), Carlo Ancelotti (2009) and Ange Postecoglou (2023). Of the previous four, only Postecoglou failed to win his 11th match in the competition.
No player has been involved in more Premier League goals so far this season than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (12 – 7 goals, 5 assists). The Egyptian has also had the most touches in the opposition box this term (96), while of players to have had 20+ shots, no-one has hit a higher percentage of them on target (67% - 20/30).
Only Erling Haaland (16) has had more big chances than Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins in the Premier League this season (14). However, Watkins has scored with just four of these, the lowest conversion rate of any of the seven players with 10+ big chances (28.6%).
