The roar returned to Anfield. After weeks of frustration and pressure, Liverpool found their rhythm again — and Arne Slot found his smile. The Dutch manager credited the fans for helping his side rediscover their fight and confidence.
Liverpool had lost six of their previous seven games in all competitions, and the tension had been growing. But against Aston Villa, everything changed. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch sealed a 2-0 victory that ended a four-match Premier League losing streak and lifted the Reds back to third place.
For the first time in weeks, the Anfield crowd could sense their team had turned a corner.
The Kop Stands Tall for Slot
Even when the score was still goalless, the Anfield faithful filled the stadium with chants for Slot. They stood behind their manager, who guided Liverpool to the league title in his first season. “It means a lot,” Slot said. “It came when we weren’t leading, when things were tough. That’s what makes this club special.”
He praised the connection between the team and the supporters. “They don’t forget what we’ve achieved,” he said. “They help us when we struggle. They knew the players needed encouragement, and that’s exactly what they gave.”
Salah Joins Liverpool’s Greatest
Before the game, Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk had admitted recent performances hadn’t been good enough. Arsenal were seven points clear at the top and hadn’t conceded since September. But Liverpool’s win over Villa lifted the mood ahead of huge matches against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Just before half-time, Salah pounced on a mistake by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and finished calmly into an open net. The goal was his 250th for Liverpool — a milestone reached only by club legends Ian Rush and Roger Hunt before him.
“To score 250 goals for one club is incredible,” said Slot. “He wasn’t just sharp in attack; he worked hard defensively too. It was a complete performance.”
Since joining from Roma in 2017, Salah has helped Liverpool win every major trophy — from the Premier League and Champions League to the FA Cup and League Cup.
Although he has only four league goals this season, Salah looked rejuvenated. Constantly cutting in from the right, he tormented Lucas Digne and led every attack. If Liverpool are to chase success this season, Salah’s form will be crucial.
Salah Proud of Milestone and Team Spirit
Speaking to TNT Sports, Salah admitted the past few weeks had been challenging. “It’s very important to get the win today,” he said. “We’ve had some losses in both the Premier League and Champions League. I’m happy we’re back on track before some big games.”
He spoke honestly about the team’s transition. “It’s a tricky season,” he explained. “We have new players who need time to adapt, and we’ve lost some as well. It takes time to understand each other, but we’ll get there.”
On his 250-goal milestone, Salah smiled. “It’s a great feeling to score for a club like Liverpool,” he said. “I’m proud and grateful for this achievement.”
Van Dijk Demands Focus and Patience
Virgil van Dijk, who helped Liverpool secure their first clean sheet since mid-September, reminded the squad to ignore the noise from outside. “There’s so much talk we can’t control,” he said. “Some opinions are ridiculous. We just focus on what happens in the team and keep working.”
He added: “Last season, when we made mistakes, people were calm. Now, after a few defeats, everyone acts like we’re in crisis. That’s football today.”
A New Hope at Anfield
Premier League great Alan Shearer praised Liverpool’s performance on the Match of the Day programme. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was much better,” he said. “They deserved the win. It’s a step in the right direction. They looked like themselves again.”
As the final whistle blew, the Kop joined in song — Bob Marley’s “Don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing is gonna be alright.”
And for the first time in weeks, those words rang true. Liverpool were smiling again, and Anfield was alive with hope.
