Ben Doak (Nunez 87’) N/R – On for Nunez in the final minutes in what was a debut for the 17-year-old. Getty
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Robin Olsen 5 – Positioned well to stop Darwin Nunez in the first half, but an overall disappointing night with three goals conceded. Reuters
Ashley Young 5 – Struggled to deal with the overlapping runs of Andy Robertson. Rash with his passing out from the back. EPA
Tyrone Mings 5 – Made some positive interventions but had to do better to close down the space for Liverpool’s third goal. Reuters
Ezri Konsa 4 – Sloppy at times with his defensive work and wasn’t able to match Darwin Nunez’s movement. PA
Lucas Digne 5 – Unconvincing with his work for the majority of the match, and that was exemplified by when he was beaten far too easily by Ben Doak late-on. AP
John McGinn 5 – Worked hard throughout the match but had to do much better with his chance in the second half. It looked as though he lost sight of the ball at the back post. Reuters
Boubacar Kamara 6 – A strong display from Kamara who displayed his passing range on the day. Key in several of Villa’s best chances. PA
Douglas Luiz 4 - Sloppy in the challenge which saw him commit a number of fouls. PA
Leon Bailey 4 – Fluffed his lines early-on with a glowing chance for Villa. Struggled in the battle against Andy Robertson. AFP
Emiliano Buendia 6 – Came in and out of the game in spells, but put in some promising crosses that Liverpool struggled to deal with. AP
Ollie Watkins 6 – Finally got his goal after he was presented with a number of chances. Had the ball in the back of the net but was marginally offside. Reuters
SUBS: Leander Dendoncker (Bailey 86') N/A – On for Bailey as part of a late triple substitution. Getty
Philippe Coutinho (Kamara 86’) N/R – Not enough time for the former Liverpool star make an impact on the game. Reuters
Danny Ings (Buendia 86’) N/R – Another former Liverpool player, the striker should have been introduced earlier. AP
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson 7 – The Brazil international was assured between the posts, but Aston Villa should have done more with their chances from promising areas. Reuters
Trent Alexander-Arnold 8 – A sublime pass with the outside of his foot was crucial in Liverpool’s opener, with the England international showing all of his quality at Villa Park. Getty
Joel Matip 6 – Passed the ball out from the back well but could have been more aware on occasions against Watkins’ movement. AFP
Virgil van Dijk 8 – Read the play well to intervene against Watkins and doubled Liverpool’s lead with a volley from inside the box. PA
Andy Robertson 8 – A standout performer as Robertson regularly profited from space down the left flank. Made two big chances in the opening five minutes and the second one found Salah who scored. Now holds the record for most assists for a defender in Premier League history with 54. Reuters
Jordan Henderson 7 – Commanded the midfield well and rarely made the wrong decision. A solid showing from the Liverpool captain. Reuters
Fabinho 7 – Aggressive in the challenge and made it difficult for Aston Villa to create from central areas. PA
Thiago Alcantara 6 – Struggled to deal with the rise in intensity from Aston Villa in the second half, and was eventually replaced. EPA
Mohamed Salah 8 – A goal and an assist for the Liverpool talisman, who looked sharp in the return to Premier League action. AP
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 6 – A positive performance from Oxlade-Chamberlain who can build on his work against Villa. Worked hard and was unlucky with some of his passes. Reuters
Darwin Nunez 6 – Missed countless chances but made things happen as usual. His work-rate was vital in Liverpool’s goal that sealed the game, after smashing the ball into a dangerous area. Reuters
SUBS: Naby Keita (Thiago 66’) 6 - Battled well in midfield. A poor effort on goal saw him blast the ball over the bar. PA
Harvey Elliott (Oxlade-Chamberlain 66’) 6 – Kept things ticking over when in possession and combined well with Robertson. Getty
Joe Gomez (Alexander-Arnold 79’) N/R - Faultless when brought on for the final stage of the game. AFP
Stefan Bajcetic (Henderson 79') 7 – Showed excellent composure to score just two minutes after coming on. EPA
Ben Doak (Nunez 87’) N/R – On for Nunez in the final minutes in what was a debut for the 17-year-old. Getty
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Robin Olsen 5 – Positioned well to stop Darwin Nunez in the first half, but an overall disappointing night with three goals conceded. Reuters
Ashley Young 5 – Struggled to deal with the overlapping runs of Andy Robertson. Rash with his passing out from the back. EPA
Tyrone Mings 5 – Made some positive interventions but had to do better to close down the space for Liverpool’s third goal. Reuters
Ezri Konsa 4 – Sloppy at times with his defensive work and wasn’t able to match Darwin Nunez’s movement. PA
Lucas Digne 5 – Unconvincing with his work for the majority of the match, and that was exemplified by when he was beaten far too easily by Ben Doak late-on. AP
John McGinn 5 – Worked hard throughout the match but had to do much better with his chance in the second half. It looked as though he lost sight of the ball at the back post. Reuters
Boubacar Kamara 6 – A strong display from Kamara who displayed his passing range on the day. Key in several of Villa’s best chances. PA
Douglas Luiz 4 - Sloppy in the challenge which saw him commit a number of fouls. PA
Leon Bailey 4 – Fluffed his lines early-on with a glowing chance for Villa. Struggled in the battle against Andy Robertson. AFP
Emiliano Buendia 6 – Came in and out of the game in spells, but put in some promising crosses that Liverpool struggled to deal with. AP
Ollie Watkins 6 – Finally got his goal after he was presented with a number of chances. Had the ball in the back of the net but was marginally offside. Reuters
SUBS: Leander Dendoncker (Bailey 86') N/A – On for Bailey as part of a late triple substitution. Getty
Philippe Coutinho (Kamara 86’) N/R – Not enough time for the former Liverpool star make an impact on the game. Reuters
Danny Ings (Buendia 86’) N/R – Another former Liverpool player, the striker should have been introduced earlier. AP
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson 7 – The Brazil international was assured between the posts, but Aston Villa should have done more with their chances from promising areas. Reuters
Trent Alexander-Arnold 8 – A sublime pass with the outside of his foot was crucial in Liverpool’s opener, with the England international showing all of his quality at Villa Park. Getty
Joel Matip 6 – Passed the ball out from the back well but could have been more aware on occasions against Watkins’ movement. AFP
Virgil van Dijk 8 – Read the play well to intervene against Watkins and doubled Liverpool’s lead with a volley from inside the box. PA
Andy Robertson 8 – A standout performer as Robertson regularly profited from space down the left flank. Made two big chances in the opening five minutes and the second one found Salah who scored. Now holds the record for most assists for a defender in Premier League history with 54. Reuters
Jordan Henderson 7 – Commanded the midfield well and rarely made the wrong decision. A solid showing from the Liverpool captain. Reuters
Fabinho 7 – Aggressive in the challenge and made it difficult for Aston Villa to create from central areas. PA
Thiago Alcantara 6 – Struggled to deal with the rise in intensity from Aston Villa in the second half, and was eventually replaced. EPA
Mohamed Salah 8 – A goal and an assist for the Liverpool talisman, who looked sharp in the return to Premier League action. AP
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 6 – A positive performance from Oxlade-Chamberlain who can build on his work against Villa. Worked hard and was unlucky with some of his passes. Reuters
Darwin Nunez 6 – Missed countless chances but made things happen as usual. His work-rate was vital in Liverpool’s goal that sealed the game, after smashing the ball into a dangerous area. Reuters
SUBS: Naby Keita (Thiago 66’) 6 - Battled well in midfield. A poor effort on goal saw him blast the ball over the bar. PA
Harvey Elliott (Oxlade-Chamberlain 66’) 6 – Kept things ticking over when in possession and combined well with Robertson. Getty
Joe Gomez (Alexander-Arnold 79’) N/R - Faultless when brought on for the final stage of the game. AFP
Stefan Bajcetic (Henderson 79') 7 – Showed excellent composure to score just two minutes after coming on. EPA
Ben Doak (Nunez 87’) N/R – On for Nunez in the final minutes in what was a debut for the 17-year-old. Getty
