Player ratings

Liverpool player ratings vs Aston Villa: Trent Alexander-Arnold is a passing master! Reds' stand-in captain shines as Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah score in dominant win

Tom Maston
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Jurgen Klopp's side continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with an emphatic victory on Merseyside

Liverpool's strong start to the season continued on Sunday as the Reds ran out 3-0 winners over Aston Villa. Jurgen Klopp's side dominated from kick-off at Anfield, and really could have won by more as they yet again proved their potential title credentials.

The Reds were ahead inside four minutes as Dominik Szoboszlai drilled in a first-time finish from 20 yards for his first goal since his summer arrival from RB Leipzig after a corner evaded everyone and landed at his feet. A Matty Cash own goal then doubled Liverpool's advantages, as the defender was helpless to avoid diverting the ball home from close range after Darwin Nunez hit the post.

Nunez, fresh off his double against Newcastle last time out, really should have scored himself on that occasion, and he soon hit the woodwork again as he chipped a shot against the crossbar before poking a volley wide with the goal gaping early in the second period.

The Uruguay international did provide an assist, however, as he flicked Andrew Robertson's corner into Mohamed Salah's path at the far post for the in-demand Egyptian to tap home and seal a third successive victory that was only tainted by a potential injury suffered by Trent Alexander-Arnold late on.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Alisson Becker (7/10):

    Didn't have much to do but showed good concentration to keep out a Cash header early in the second half.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold (9/10):

    Delivered a passing masterclass, both from his usual right-back spot and when he drifted centrally. Seemed to thrive as captain, and only an injury concern meant he failed to see out the 90 minutes.

    Joel Matip (5/10):

    A little careless in possession at times and missed a gilt-edged chance to make it 3-0 before the half-hour mark.

    Joe Gomez (7/10):

    Another impressive display from the England international after a strong showing off the bench last week. Doing all he can to earn more opportunities.

    Andrew Robertson (8/10):

    Combined superbly with Diaz down the left and seems to be coping better with the demands of knowing when to stay and when to go as Alexander-Arnold cuts inside on the opposite flank.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10):

    Superb first-time strike opened the scoring and was an energetic presence throughout, making some incisive runs into the half-space between the forwards.

    Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):

    Back in the No.6 position after Endo was left out, the Argentine swept up well and won plenty of tackles.

    Curtis Jones (6/10):

    Solid but unspectacular. Kept the Reds ticking over as the left-hand No.8.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Mohamed Salah (8/10):

    Combined excellently with Nunez and pressed relentlessly from the front. Deserved his tap-in goal that secured the points.

    Darwin Nunez (7/10):

    Will wonder how he didn't score after hitting the woodwork twice and volleying wide from close-range. Pace caused Villa's high line problems all day and flicked header assisted Salah's strike.

    Luis Diaz (8/10):

    Electric at times, particularly in the first half. Replaced shortly after the hour mark, but only to give him minutes off rather than due to poor performance.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Cody Gakpo (6/10):

    Unable to properly impact the game in his 25-minute cameo.

    Diogo Jota (6/10):

    Couple of nice dribbles but not too much of note.

    Harvey Elliott (6/10):

    Showed good energy in midfield after replacing Jones.

    Jarell Quansah (6/10):

    Solid after coming on for the injured Alexander-Arnold.

    Wataru Endo (N/A):

    On for Mac Allister in the final five minutes.

    Jurgen Klopp (7/10):

    Appreciated he could cope without Endo and gave Szoboszlai the freedom to express himself. Decision to start Nunez also worked, even if the Uruguayan didn't get himself on the scoresheet.