Mohamed Salah shines as Arne Slot and Liverpool get fans’ backing
In the matchday program, both Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk wrote that the team’s performance and results were not good enough.
Liverpool face a tough task to defend their title as they sit seven points ahead of leaders Arsenal, who have not conceded a goal since the end of September.
But there is no doubt that this result greatly boosted morale at Anfield ahead of a period of crisis in which one of the all-time greats played a vital role.
Salah could not have scored more easily for the Reds than the goal presented to him at half-time, when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez gifted the ball to him and the 33-year-old Egyptian player scored into the unguarded goal.
Salah became the third person to reach the 250-goal mark for Liverpool, after Ian Rush with 346 goals and Roger Hunt with 285 goals, and this goal was a landmark goal in the club’s history.
“To score 250 goals for one club is almost unbelievable,” Slot said. “Even if you score 250 goals in total it will be incredible.
“He performed very well. He not only did the attacking work, but also helped the team very well in defense. I liked his performance tonight and it is special for him to score 250 goals for Liverpool.”
Salah helped Liverpool win the Premier League twice and the Champions League once, and played a leading role in lifting the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup during his eight years at Anfield following his £34 million move from Roma in 2017.
Slot will be thrilled with Salah’s performance as the four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner has scored just four league goals this season; constantly running down the right flank and running into the Villa defence.
Lucas Digne has had a difficult time at left-back and Salah needs to be somewhere near his best form if Liverpool have any hope of success this season.
In an interview with TNT Sports, Salah admitted that he was not at his peak and said: “This is very important. [to get the win today]We had a few defeats in the Premier League and Champions League. I’m glad we’re back on track now and it’s a big boost ahead of some important games.
“It is a very difficult season for us because we have a few new players, very good players, but they need time to adapt. We also lost some players. It takes time to adapt and get to know each other’s games, but everything will be fine.”
Salah, who scored 250 goals for Liverpool, added: “It’s a great feeling to score for such a great club, I don’t take it lightly, I’m very proud and happy with this achievement.”
