Liverpool enjoyed a near-perfect Saturday night, securing a win, keeping a clean sheet, and putting on a commanding performance.
Mo Salah marked his 250th goal for the Reds, while Ryan Gravenberch added a second-half strike, giving the Premier League champions their first domestic victory in six weeks. The win propelled Liverpool to third in the table overnight, allowing Kopites to finally enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
However, Arne Slot might have had one gripe about the match: an incident involving Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana that arguably deserved a red card but went unpunished. In the 73rd minute, as Villa prepared for a corner, chaos erupted in Liverpool’s six-yard box, prompting referee Stuart Attwell to step in. TV footage captured Onana grabbing Alexis Mac Allister by the throat, sending the Argentine to the ground. Attwell issued a yellow card, though many might argue VAR should have recommended a harsher penalty for the former Everton midfielder. While we don’t want players unfairly dismissed, Onana would have little grounds to protest a red card for that foul.
Any contact above the shoulders is risky, regardless of intent. Mac Allister’s reaction may have been dramatic, but he was right to feel aggrieved that Onana remained on the pitch. The disbelief grew moments later when Dominik Szoboszlai and Unai Emery were both booked for a minor dispute in Villa’s technical area—hardly comparable to Onana’s offense.
Thankfully, these controversies didn’t affect the outcome. Liverpool celebrated a well-earned victory at Anfield, leaving fans relieved and elated at full Time.
Leave a Reply