Arne Slot’s hotly controversial decision to heavily rotate his squad for the midweek Carabao Cup exit was vindicated on Saturday night, as Liverpool romped to a 2–0 victory at home to Aston Villa in arguably their most energetic performance of the season.
Nine of the starting XI which smothered the life out of Unai Emery’s visitors were not involved in any capacity during Wednesday’s limp loss to Crystal Palace. Mohamed Salah seemed to have notably benefitted from a week of preparation and duly opened the scoring.
There was a cathartic roar at Anfield as Salah took advantage of a forced turnover on the cusp of half-time before Ryan Gravenberch doubled Liverpool’s advantage almost on the hour mark from another high-pressing situation.
After a tumultuous week of taunts from opposing fans fearing for his job, Slot was treated to a show of support on Merseyside as the crowd bellowed the Dutchman’s name during the closing stages of a much-needed win.
