Liverpool's Egyptian king helped Arne Slot's men put more daylight between them and Manchester City as their stellar defenders kept Aston Villa at bay

Mohamed Salah scored his 10th goal of the season as he and Darwin Nunez earned Liverpool a hard-fought 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Reds took the lead in front of a raucous home crowd when Nunez fired past Emiliano Martinez in a rapid counter-attack from a Villa corner in the 20th minute. The Uruguayan international should have made it 2-0 from an almost identical breakaway, but the forward could only fire over the bar.

However, Unai Emery's side were not there to make up the numbers, as Amadou Onana and Diego Carlos brought out two excellent reaction stops from Caoimhin Kelleher before the break.

Morgan Rogers wasted a gilt-edged chance to level the game seconds after the interval but failed to find the target. The game's tempo dropped in the second half as both teams tried to gain some control in an otherwise frantic contest.

Just when the Villans threatened to pull level, Liverpool's arch-poacher Salah raced clear to tuck home six minutes from time to seal all three points. They are now five clear of City after their shock loss to Brighton.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

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Caoimhin Kelleher (8/10):

Pulled off two stunning saves in quick succession after having very little to do in the first half. Wasn't involved much but delivered when it mattered.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

Had a swagger about him early on but his evening was cut short early due to injury.

Ibrahima Konate (8/10):

He and Virgil van Dijk are forming a formidable partnership at the back.

Virgil van Dijk (9/10):

Fired a superb pass up the pitch in the build-up to his side's opener and was so solid at the heart of Liverpool's defence. He is such a powerhouse for the Reds.

Andrew Robertson (8/10):

A return to form for the Scottish international, whose place in the team has been under scrutiny of late.

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Ryan Gravenberch (7/10):

Had to do more back-tracking than he will have been used to this season as Villa's attack got in behind the hosts on repeated occasions.

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

Was neat and tidy enough but he didn't really stamp his authority on the full-blooded encounter.

Curtis Jones (7/10):

His runs in midfield caused Villa problems and he got back well to get his team out of danger.

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Mohamed Salah (8/10):

Was a huge threat on the counter-attack in the first half but his influence waned as the match wore on. But, he got his goal late on with a silky smooth finish.

Darwin Nunez (8/10):

Took his goal in expert fashion but he also spurned a glorious chance to double his team's lead not long after. On another day he could, and perhaps should, have had a hat-trick but he worked so hard for his team.

Luis Diaz (8/10):

Worked tirelessly for his team, both in creating chances for his side and press the opposition. A selfless display from the Colombian.

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Conor Bradley (7/10):

Linked up well with Salah on the right and nicely got stuck into the action.

Cody Gakpo (6/10):

Didn't do a great deal when brought into the game.

Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10):

Put in some dangerous crosses in the second half.

Waturu Endo (N/A):

Had no time to make an impact.

Arne Slot (8/10):

Set his team to hit Villa on the counter-attack and they did it very well, especially from the away team's corners. It was a real tactical battle with him and Emery in a real cat and mouse back and forth. Another big hurdle overcome for the Dutchman.