The sound of belief returned to Anfield. After weeks of tension and silence, Liverpool fans finally had something to celebrate. Manager Arne Slot praised the supporters for driving his team back to winning form.
The Dutch coach had faced mounting pressure after six defeats in seven games across all competitions. But his team responded with a commanding 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch found the net, ending a four-match losing run in the Premier League.
The result lifted Liverpool to third place and gave fans a reason to believe their team was back to its best.
The Kop Restores the Connection
Even when the match was goalless, the Anfield crowd backed Slot with chants and songs. The 47-year-old, who delivered a league title in his debut season, felt their energy shift the game. “It means a lot,” Slot said. “It happened when we weren’t winning, when we were in a difficult situation. That’s what makes this club special.”
He praised the fans’ loyalty. “They don’t forget what we’ve achieved together,” he said. “They stand by you when things get hard. We weren’t winning, and they knew the players needed them. That’s the power of these supporters.”
Salah Hits 250 and Enters Liverpool History
Before kick-off, Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk had both admitted the team’s performances had fallen short. League leaders Arsenal were already seven points ahead and hadn’t conceded a goal since September. But this victory changed everything ahead of crucial games against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Just before half-time, Salah seized on a mistake from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and calmly finished into an empty net. The goal marked his 250th for Liverpool, making him only the third player in club history to reach that figure after Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.
“To score 250 goals for one club is unbelievable,” said Slot. “He didn’t only attack well — he worked tirelessly in defence. It was a complete performance from him.”
Since arriving from Roma in 2017, Salah has helped Liverpool lift every major trophy — from the Premier League and Champions League to the FA Cup, League Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.
Although he has only four league goals this season, his sharpness against Villa was a major boost. Constantly cutting in from the right, he gave Lucas Digne a torrid evening. Liverpool’s hopes rest heavily on him rediscovering his top form.
Salah Reflects on the Win and His Journey
Speaking to TNT Sports, Salah admitted the last few weeks had been tough. “It’s very important to get the win today,” he said. “We’ve had some losses in the Premier League and Champions League. I’m glad we’re back on track. It gives us momentum before big games.”
He also spoke about the team’s development. “It’s a tricky season,” he explained. “We have new players who need time to adapt, and we’ve lost some experienced ones. It takes time, but we’ll improve.”
On his milestone, he said with pride: “It’s a great feeling to score for a club like Liverpool. I’m proud and grateful for this achievement.”
Van Dijk Demands Calm and Unity
Van Dijk, who helped Liverpool secure their first clean sheet since mid-September, urged his teammates to stay focused despite outside criticism. “There’s a lot of noise we can’t control,” he said. “Some of it is ridiculous, but we deal with it. We stick together.”
He added that public opinion can shift too quickly. “Last season, when we made mistakes, everything still seemed fine. Now, after a few losses, people act like we’re in trouble. That’s football today.”
Confidence Returns to Merseyside
Premier League legend Alan Shearer praised Liverpool’s performance on the Match of the Day programme. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was much better,” he said. “They deserved the win. It’s the first step in regaining belief and rhythm. This looked more like the Liverpool we expect to see.”
As the final whistle blew, Anfield erupted in song — Bob Marley’s “Don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing is gonna be alright.”
After weeks of gloom, Liverpool fans could finally feel that truth again. Anfield, once more, was alive.
