Salah’s second-half penalty helped Liverpool edge Aston Villa 1-0 as Steven Gerrard returned to Anfield for the first time as an opponent.
The Egyptian’s spot-kick in the 65th minute broke the visitors’ resistance in a hard-fought affair after he had been brought down in the area by Tyrone Mings.
Villa, under the management of Reds’ legend Gerrard, had stood firm before the strike, though were grateful to Emiliano Martinez for his work between the posts in foiling their hosts.
Jürgen Klopp’s team remain second in the Premier League standings, a point behind Manchester City.
Team news…
After affording several senior members of the squad a rest during the midweek victory over AC Milan in Italy, Liverpool made seven changes for the visit of Villa, with only Alisson Becker, Salah, Sadio Mane and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain retaining their places in the starting line-up.
Divock Origi was absent due to a sore knee, but Diogo Jota was fit enough to be named on the bench.
Action…
Gerrard’s return to Anfield for the first time had dominated the pre-match headlines – and the legendary former midfielder was warmly greeted by home supporters before kick-off as the stadium also paid tribute to another icon in Ray Kennedy, who passed away recently.
