LONDON — Mohamed Salah’s 250th Liverpool goal ended the Premier League champions’ losing streak in a 2-0 win against Aston Villa today, while leaders Arsenal beat Burnley to surge seven points clear.
Elsewhere, Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw at struggling Nottingham Forest and Chelsea won 1-0 at London rivals Tottenham.
After losing their previous four league games, and six of their last seven in all competitions, spluttering Liverpool finally showed signs of life at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s troubled team were gifted their opening goal in first-half stoppage time when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez’s wayward pass was intercepted by Salah, who slotted into the empty net for his fifth goal this season.
The Egypt forward’s milestone 250th goal in all competitions for Liverpool was followed by Ryan Gravenberch’s 58th-minute deflected strike, wrapping up the Reds’ first league victory since they beat Everton on September 20.
“It’s a great feeling to score goals and win trophies for this big club. It’s something I don’t take for granted. I’m so proud,” Salah said.
Liverpool’s win, which leaves them third but seven points behind Arsenal, was well-timed ahead of a crucial week featuring clashes with Real Madrid and Manchester City.
“What I liked most was everybody here felt the importance of the game. I’m talking about my players and the fans. They felt this was the moment today to show we’re still there,” Slot said.
Arsenal eased past Burnley 2-0, creating a five-game winning streak in the league to position themselves as firm favourites to end their painful two-decade wait to be crowned English champions.
Viktor Gyökeres headed the Gunners ahead following a Declan Rice corner in the first half at Turf Moor for his first league goal since mid-September — yet more joy for the set-piece specialists.
England midfielder Rice himself headed home to double the visitors’ lead in the 35th minute and put them in total control.
“The first half was exceptional — we scored two goals and gave nothing away,” Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said.
Arsenal, who have now won nine games in a row in all competitions, have enviable options in attack but their team is built on a rock-solid defence that has conceded just three league goals in 10 games this season.
