Liverpool established a five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League as Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah netted in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
Taking full advantage of Manchester City’s earlier defeat to Brighton, Liverpool extended their lead over the reigning champions, solidifying their position at the top.
Despite not reaching the level of their midweek 4-0 Champions League triumph over German champions Bayer Leverkusen, the Reds, managed by Arne Slot, displayed defensive resilience, securing their sixth clean sheet in 11 league matches and strengthening their title ambitions.
Villa’s fourth consecutive loss across all competitions drops Unai Emery’s side to eighth place, leaving them just one point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest.
The Anfield crowd, energized by news of City’s 2-1 loss to Brighton, spurred Liverpool to a quick start, although Villa posed a greater threat in the first half with counter-attacking chances.
Liverpool broke the deadlock when Virgil van Dijk’s long clearance left Villa’s defense exposed. Nunez pounced on the loose ball after Salah was brought down by Bailey, scoring his third goal of the season.
Liverpool then faced a setback as Trent Alexander-Arnold limped off with a muscle injury, likely sidelining him from upcoming England matches.
Villa continued to threaten from set-pieces, with Caoimhin Kelleher making crucial saves against Amadou Onana and Diego Carlos to maintain Liverpool’s lead going into halftime.
Morgan Rogers missed a major opportunity for Villa to equalize just moments into the second half, misfiring wide of the target.
Nunez remained a focal point for Liverpool’s attack, coming close again with a header from an Andy Robertson cross.
The Reds secured their 15th win in 17 games under Slot, taking firm control of the title race.
Trailing Liverpool by ten points, Arsenal will face a challenging trip to an in-form Chelsea today.
Meanwhile, a struggling Manchester City is next scheduled to visit Anfield on December 1, after Liverpool’s away game against bottom-of-the-table Southampton following the international break.
In a dramatic evening, Manchester City suffered a 2-1 comeback loss to Brighton, marking a significant setback for the champions.
City took an early lead through Erling Haaland, but Brighton’s resilience turned the game in their favor in the second half.
With tactical adjustments and impactful substitutions, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi’s decision to bring on Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley paid off, with both players scoring within five thrilling minutes.
This loss marks the first time in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career that he has endured four consecutive defeats, a streak Manchester City has not experienced since 2006.
