Arne Slot says luck finally on Liverpool’s side as they end losing streak

LIVERPOOL – Liverpool manager Arne Slot said fortune finally swung his team's way in their 2-0 victory over Aston Villa that ended a woeful four-game English Premier League losing streak that had piled pressure on the Reds.

Mohamed Salah became the third player in Liverpool history

to score 250 goals

when he struck in first-half injury time, and Ryan Gravenberch scored in the second half after missing three games with an ankle injury in only their second win in eight matches across all competitions.

“The margins are small every single game – today after five minutes they (Morgan Rogers) hit the post,” Slot told BBC Match of the Day. “We didn’t concede a set piece, which was helpful, but also we got a bit lucky, which hasn't happened recently. Our second goal was a deflection.”

“When (Villa) hit the post, that was their biggest chance. The last few weeks, every time that ball went in, now it didn’t.”

Salah, who has been criticised for his slow start to the season, struck in first-half injury time, capitalising on a huge blunder from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who played the ball right into the path of Liverpool’s talisman.

Salah finished first time to the relief of the anxious Anfield crowd, and joined Roger Hunt and Ian Rush as the only players to score 250 goals for the Merseyside club.

“It’s very important,” Salah told TNT of the win. “We’ve had a few losses in the Premier League and Champions League. I’m glad we are back on track now, and it’s a big push before some important games.”

The win comes ahead of a challenging stretch, with Liverpool hosting La Liga giants Real Madrid in the Champions League on Nov 4, before facing Manchester City in a league game at the Etihad on Nov 9.

Ryan Gravenberch, in his first game after missing three with an ankle injury, doubled the home side’s lead in the 58th minute when he blasted a shot from the top of the box that deflected off Pau Torres and in past Martinez.

Slot added that being ahead allowed Liverpool to dictate play as they moved up to third ahead of matches on Nov 2. 

“The good thing about being 1-0 or 2-0 up is you can control the game a bit better with more possession. If you are down, you have to chase and take risks,” he said.

Captain Virgil van Dijk echoed the sense of relief but warned against complacency, noting the impact of criticism during the slump. 

“There's a lot of noise that you have no control over, and we have to deal with that as a team,” he said. “Some of the takes are ridiculous, but you deal with it. We stick together.”

The Dutch defender urged focus.

“Now it’s time to start working, never get too high or too low,” van Dijk said. “We live in a world where everyone can have their own opinions on so many platforms, and they know better. We have to stay away from that and focus on the hard work we are doing.

“Last season, we did some negative stuff, but everything was all sunshine and rainbows everywhere. Now it sounds like we’re going to be in a relegation battle – that's how it works in the world.”

Villa’s loss ended a four-game winning streak, and saw them fall to 11th place.

“We can feel a bit disappointed but we played the match like we planned,” said Villa boss Unai Emery. “(Liverpool) were playing at home and they needed to react (after a string of losses), and they reacted.” 

Earlier on Nov 1, clinical Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of fixtures on Nov 2 with a straightforward 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor courtesy goals by Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice.

“The first half was one of the best that we’ve played,” Gunners manager Mikel Arteta said. “Scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing.

Meanwhile, a stunning late volley from Amad Diallo earned Manchester United a battling 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest in a fluctuating Premier League game.

Casemiro had given the Red Devils a first-half lead, before two goals in less than two minutes from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona turned the match on its head in the second half, before Amad’s 81st-minute intervention.

Diallo told Sky Sports: “We are really disappointed to go home with one point. We have confidence now. We believe in the manager and the system.” REUTERS