Liverpool deservedly returned to winning form on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa that saw Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch key to exploiting a weakness.

After six defeats in their last seven games, the Reds looked more like champions as they grinded out a 2-0 victory over Villa at Anfield.

They were aided by a shocker from Emi Martinez to gift Mohamed Salah the opening goal but were certainly worthy of the win as Gravenberch made it 2-0 with a deflected effort from range.

With help from FotMob, we’ve taken a look at how Villa’s approach – and the performances of Gravenberch and Szoboszlai in particular – helped the Reds restore form.

Villa’s approach played into Liverpool’s hands

Full credit to Liverpool, as it was their hard-pressing play which forced Villa back and into trouble, but their visitors arrived with a game plan which entirely suited them.

After Slot repeatedly stressed his side’s issues with facing physical long-ball sides, Unai Emery set Villa up to play out from the back and attempt to lure the champions into trouble on the counter.

The issue there came largely down to personnel: Emery will not have legislated for Martinez’s clumsy...