Liverpool vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.
This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.
Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Liverpool FC 3 - 0 Aston Villa FC
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:58
That's all for today. Thank you for joining us. Until next time, goodbye!
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:58
Both sides head into the international break before returning to Premier League action on September 16. Then, Liverpool travel to Wolves with Villa hosting Crystal Palace.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:57
Liverpool make it three wins on the bounce following a commanding victory over Aston Villa. Dominik Szoboszlai and a Matty Cash own-goal put Jurgen Klopp's side in control during the first half, while Mohamed Salah put the result at Anfield beyond any doubt soon after the break.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:56
FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 3-0 ASTON VILLA
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:54
Just 60 seconds of stoppage time remain and Villa will want to forget this game as quickly as possible.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:53
There is a minor altercation between Gomez and Duran after the latter appeared to flick his leg towards the Liverpool defender. But the referee is quickly over to sort it out.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:52
We are going to play four additional minutes at the end of this game.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:50
Endo is involved straightaway with an inviting ball to the back post, where Martinez denies Matip. The offside flag is subsequently raised.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:48
Mac Allister receives a brilliant reception as he goes off to be replaced by Endo.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:45
Villa look for a consolation on the counter. McGinn feeds Diaby, who sends an inviting ball into the six-yard box. But none of his team-mates are alert and able to pounce.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:44
The Reds are enjoying over 65 per cent of possession as the clock ticks down towards what should be a commanding win.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:41
Although Liverpool are three goals to the good and comfortable in possession, Klopp wants more from his players as he barks out instructions from the touchline.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:39
Twice in as many minutes, Duran goes for goal from angles that are far too tight. On both occasions, he is way off target and his team-mates are far from impressed.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:37
Good try! Liverpool go in search of more goals. Szoboszlai's corner is only cleared to the edge of the box, where Elliott's volley deflects just wide of the target.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:36
GOOD SAVE! Another lofted ball over the top releases Salah once more. He could square it for Gakpo, but goes for goal from a tight angle and Martinez pushes it away.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:33
Substitution Oliver George Arthur Watkins Jhon Jader Durán Palacio
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:33
Substitution Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo Youri Marion A. Tielemans
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:32
Substitution Trent John Alexander-Arnold Jarell Amorin Quansah
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:32
CLOSE! Alexander-Arnold brilliantly accelerates away from challenges and space opens ahead of him. The crowd urge him to shoot from distance and he obliges, with his powerful attempt not far over the crossbar.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:29
It seems like it is damage limitation for Villa as we enter the final quarter of this game. Liverpool are well in control of proceedings.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:28
As thing stand, Liverpool are set to extend their unbeaten Premier League streaks - both in general (15) and at Anfield (14).
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:25
Substitution Leon Patrick Bailey Butler Nicolò Zaniolo
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:25
Substitution Curtis Julian Jones Harvey Daniel James Elliott
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:25
Substitution Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro Cody Mathès Gakpo
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:25
Salah has now scored or assisted in each of his last 11 Premier League appearances at Anfield. Thierry Henry was the last player to do so more often at home in the English top flight - 17 between November 2002 and October 2003.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:25
Substitution Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda Diogo José Teixeira da Silva
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:21
Villa desperately seek a response and Watkins looks to connect with a cross, but it just evades him on this occasion.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:21
Salah has now had at least one direct goal involvement in each of his last 10 Premier League appearances, scoring five times and providing seven assists during that span.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:17
Though still awaiting his goal today, Nunez came into the game having averaged the most shots (4.55) and most on target per 90 minutes (2.02) of any Premier League player since the start of last season.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:16
Assist Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:15
Goal Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:12
It has been an exciting start to the second half with chances for both teams already. Neutrals will certainly be hoping for more of the same as the half goes on.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:11
HOW DID HE MISS THAT?! Alexander-Arnold produces another sublime long ball down the line for Salah to run onto. The latter crosses to the far post, where Nunez is unable to head into the empty net from inside the six-yard box.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:09
GOOD SAVE! Villa attack down the other end and Cash attacks Digne's deep cross at the far post. But Alisson produces a brilliant reflex save to deny him.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:08
Szoboszlai cleverly skips away from Digne and fizzes the ball across the penalty area. It eventually breaks kindly for Salah, who fires over from distance.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:07
Liverpool get the ball rolling again in the second half.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:03
Villa have carried a decent attack threat during the first half, but are yet to register a shot on target. That is something the visitors must address after the break to have any chance of getting back into this game.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:58
Liverpool lead Aston Villa by two goals to nil at Anfield. The Reds took the lead after just three minutes thanks to Szoboszlai's sweet strike, while Cash's own-goal doubled the advantage after Nunez had hit the post.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:51
HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-0 ASTON VILLA
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:51
CHANCE! Salah spins away from his marker to latch onto Alexander-Arnold's long ball down the line. The Egyptian goes for goal from a tight angle, but Martinez is alert and denies him.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:50
Liverpool have enjoyed over two-thirds of the possession during the first half and comfortably retain the ball as the break draws nearer.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:47
We are going to play four additional minutes at the end of this first half.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:44
Not far away! Villa now go on the attack with Watkins finding Diaby. The latter looks to bend the ball around Gomez and into the far corner from a tight angle, but his effort is not far wide in all fairness.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:44
Liverpool threaten and the ball breaks kindly for Alexander-Arnold to strike from distance. He catches it cleanly enough, but the attempt is off target.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:43
Gravenberch watches on from the stands and will be eager to make his mark at Liverpool as soon as possible. His arrival certainly provides Klopp with a welcome selection headache in midfield.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:41
OFF THE BAR! Nunez races onto a long ball over the top of defence. He exchanges passes with Salah, but sees his dinked attempt from a tight angle crash against the woodwork. Villa subsequently manage to scramble the ball away.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:40
CHANCE! Villa threaten down the left flank and a low cross is sent into the six-yard box. Watkins arrives, but cannot steer the ball towards goal.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:37
We are into the final 10 minutes of the first half at Anfield, where Liverpool are two goals to the good thanks to Szoboszlai and Cash putting through his own net.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:35
OVER! Gomez slips under pressure from Bailey and Villa look to counter. Diaby drives towards the penalty area before feeding the onrushing McGinn, who fires his first-time effort over the bar. That was the visitors' first real sight on goal.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:33
Villa are looking to work their way back into the contest and force a corner following a dangerous attack down the right. Can they capitalise?
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:32
Liverpool failed to score in four of their opening seven Premier League matches in 2023. However, the Reds have now found the net in 17 of their last 19 outings.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:29
FREE HEADER! Matip should score! Liverpool could have been out of sight there. Matip is completely unmarked to meet Alexander-Arnold's inviting free-kick delivery, but can only steer his header wide of the target.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:27
Kamara receives the first yellow card of the game after bundling Diaz over.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:25
That was most unfortunate for Villa, with Cash in the wrong time at the wrong time. But the visitors invited pressure by allowing Alexander-Arnold far too much time and space to pick his pass. You cannot afford to do that.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:22
Own goal Matthew Stuart Cash
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:22
That is an interesting tactical move by Emery. It would have been easy to go like-for-like with that substitution, but the Spaniard is clearly trying to inject more life into his side's attacking ranks.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:20
Carlos is unable to continue and Emery opts for an attacking change by replacing him with Bailey.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:18
A concern for Villa as Carlos goes down and the medical team are on to see him. With the likes of Tyrone Mings already on the sidelines, the visitors will not want another defensive injury to contend with.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:16
Diaz and Salah combine on the edge of the penalty area as Liverpool push for a second goal, but Villa do well to snuff out the threat.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:15
Diaby has enjoyed a strong start to life at Villa, having been directly involved in three goals in his first three Premier League appearances. He is also aiming to become only the sixth different player to find the net in each of his first three Premier League away games.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:13
Villa look to play their way into the contest and a neat move from back to front culminates in Diaby getting in behind. He looks to square the ball for Watkins, but it goes just behind the striker and Szoboszlai is there to clear.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:11
Szoboszlai's sweet strike was Liverpool's 43rd Premier League goal since the start of March. That is the highest tally recorded by any side during that span.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:09
Liverpool have their tails up and Anfield is in fine voice. A swift exchange of passes releases Szoboszlai down the right, but the goalscorer is penalised for offside.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:07
This is something Liverpool have not been overly accustomed to in recent times. Indeed, the Reds fell behind in their last two matches, but have broken the deadlock this time around.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:04
Goal Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:03
Liverpool look to threaten as Robertson sweeps the ball down the line for Diaz to run onto. However, the latter started his run too early and is ruled offside.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
14:02
Referee Simon Hooper blows his whistle and Villa get us under way.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:58
The officials lead the players out onto the pitch. We are quickly approaching kick-off at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:45
Liverpool have won nine of their last 11 Premier League meetings with Villa. Although, the latter did snap a five-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Anfield in May.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:33
Unai Emery, who made six changes for the Europa Conference League play-off victory over Hibernian in midweek, makes just a single alteration to the side that beat Burnley last weekend. It comes in goal with Martinez returning between the sticks in place of Olsen, who drops to the bench alongside new signing Lenglet.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:33
Jurgen Klopp makes three changes from Liverpool's victory over Newcastle. Following his last-minute winner as a substitute, Nunez leads the line with Gakpo dropping to the bench. Jones returns from an ankle injury to take Endo's place in midfield, while Gomez replaces the suspended Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence. New signing Ryan Gravenberch is ineligible to feature, while Ibrahima Konate and Thiago Alcantara miss out through injury.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:33
Just one point separates the two sides, who arrive in the contest fresh from back-to-back Premier League victories. After opening with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, Liverpool have recorded 3-1 and 2-1 wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle United respectively. Meanwhile, Villa have bounced back from their humbling 5-1 defeat at Newcastle, beating Everton 4-0 and Burnley 3-1.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:33
SUBS: Robin Olsen, Calum Chambers, Clement Lenglet, Youri Tielemans, Leander Dendoncker, Leon Bailey, Omari Kellyman, Nicolo Zaniolo, Jhon Duran.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:33
ASTON VILLA (3-4-2-1): Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres; Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Lucas Digne; Moussa Diaby, John McGinn; Ollie Watkins.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:33
SUBS: Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Ben Doak, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:33
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Andrew Robertson; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones; Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:30
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
13:33
Hello everyone and welcome to live text coverage of the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield.
