Arne Slot was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief as Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Anfield, with the media praising his team selection and a much-needed return to form.
The Reds finally returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday evening, with Mohamed Salah‘s opener added to by a deflected Ryan Gravenberch strike.
Here’s the best of the media reaction to Liverpool’s victory.
This was much more like it from the champions
David Lynch felt the convincing nature of Liverpool’s win was as important as the result itself:
“I don’t think a lucky win would’ve done anything for Liverpool tonight, they desperately needed to put on an improved performance as well.
“And Arne Slot got that as his team ended up fully deserved winners thanks to the sort of controlled 2-0 win we saw so often last season.”
Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph watched a Liverpool team who “resembled champions” again at long last:
“The alarm bells finally stopped ringing at Anfield. Liverpool are back in the top three and wheels might be back on.
“For arguably the first time this season, Liverpool resembled the champions. Mohamed Salah scored his 250th Liverpool goal, and more importantly looked sharp again as a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa ended a barren run…
“This was the Liverpool that has been hiding since they won the title, reasserting their class at a timely moment.”
Mohamed Salah has equalled Wayne Rooney’s record for the most goal involvements for a single side in Premier League history (276). ????
Here’s the top 10. ?#LIVAVL | @bet365 | #Ad pic.twitter.com/Bcg2ICStdD
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 1, 2025
Luke Power of the Mail highlighted Liverpool’s league position despite such a poor run of form, but admits Arsenal will be hard to catch:
“It’s testament to how well Liverpool began the season, at least in terms of racking up points, that they’re suddenly third again after one win.
“But the gap to Arsenal is still a daunting seven points. If we’re learned anything this campaign, it’s that any team can capitulate.
“Now they’re relying on the Gunners having their own collapse, or if not, they’ll need to go on a phenomenal run to catch them.”
For Slot, this was a vital step in the right direction
Lewis Steele felt Slot’s decision to revert to last season’s approach paid off handsomely:
“Arne Slot went back to the winning formula of last season (the midfield + Robbo at LB) and, as if by magic, Liverpool put in their best performance of the season.
“Was it fully back to their very best? Not quite but a massive step forward all over the pitch.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole told TNT Sports that the Reds’ midfield must stay the same in big games:
“The midfield three [Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai], it’s so important that they stick together.
“They look so much better. The balance was right. Any team in the top six or eight, they have to play.”
The Guardian‘s Andy Hunter says this has to be a “starting point” for Slot instead of a false dawn:
“Crisis club Liverpool find themselves level on points with second-placed Bournemouth after picking up their first Premier League points since 20 September.
“Their recovery appears simple in that context and, thanks in no small part to the Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, it was the balm that Arne Slot wished for after the worst run of his Anfield reign.
“He knows it must be only a starting point.
“Liverpool were deserving victors in the league for the first time since beating Everton in the Merseyside derby.”
Slot’s decision to leave out so many key players in the Carabao Cup was vindicated, according to the Athletic‘s Gregg Evans:
“Slot’s decision to rest his senior players in the midweek League Cup defeat by Crystal Palace looked to have worked after Liverpool found a way to win again.
“The head coach made nine changes and reverted to a familiar setup, with Andy Robertson at left-back and a midfield trio that did not include Florian Wirtz.
“Slot knew that by sacrificing a serious assault on the Carabao Cup, the pressure would be on his side to get back on track in the Premier League, but with the fresh legs in midfield, and most importantly the return of Gravenberch from injury, Liverpool played with a level of composure and control to get their season back on track.”
Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa
Add Comment