Liverpool player ratings vs Aston Villa: Mohamed Salah looks back to his best while Ryan Gravenberch makes a big difference on night to forget for Emi Martinez

Giorgi Mamardashvili (7/10):

His saves at 0-0 should not be underestimated, particularly the one from Cash's deflected cross. Showed why he is believed to be the perfect long-term successor to Alisson.

Conor Bradley (8/10):

His energy and ambition in the final third was exactly what was needed, while the Northern Ireland international barely put a foot wrong in defence and limited Villa to very little down his side.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

Has struggled at times so far this season, but was far more solid and imposing at the back as Watkins went missing.

Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

Marshalled the defence well as the Reds' struggling back-line returned to somewhere near its best. Made key blocks when he was needed.

Andy Robertson (7/10):

Justified his selection over Kerkez with some lung-busting play at both ends. He at times found himself in the striking position alongside Ekitike, though also made an important tackle to deny Guessand in his own box.

Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):

Showed an improvement from recent weeks with a composed performance in midfield. Could have scored late in the first half had it not been for a brilliant block by Konsa, while the Argentine spotted the run of Gravenberch to assist the second goal. 

Ryan Gravenberch (8/10):

The Dutchman was a big miss in three matches out with an ankle injury, and showed exactly why as he was dominant in midfield, continuing to add a goal-scoring touch to his game with his deflected second-half strike after breaking into space.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10):

Another stand-out performance by the Hungarian, who played a key role in Liverpool's highly-effective press and continued to be the Reds' chief creator. His inch-perfect delivery was headed home by a marginally-offside Ekitike, while the Reds' No.8 won the ball off Villa's defence on several occasions.

Mohamed Salah (8/10):

Put his name up in lights with his 250th Reds goal, in what was a relatively simple finish but an important one. Created chances for Gakpo and Ekitike and looked closer to his determined best, causing Digne a torrid time for periods of the match.

Hugo Ekitike (7/10):

Scored in the first half with a well-taken header but had just gone too early to have the goal disallowed for offside. With Isak out injured, the France international continues to stake his claim to being the Reds' best striking option.

Cody Gakpo (6/10):

At times appeared too predictable cutting in onto his right foot, while he mis-controlled a Salah cross with the goal at his mercy and will have been relieved to see the offside flag go up.

Florian Wirtz (6/10):

Replaced Ekitike as a make-shift striker and had little impact in his late cameo, as the only substitute Slot introduced in the match.

Arne Slot (8/10):

Made the right selection choices in dropping Wirtz and Kerkez to the bench, and his side's high press was a key factor in a crucial victory. Players stepped up across all areas of the pitch, and fan chants of Slot's name in the second half indicated a warm appreciation of the performance.