Liverpool did little to entertain but the three points were secured nevertheless against Aston Villa, where the aim of eclipsing 100 points moved one step closer.
Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa
Premier League, Anfield
July 5, 2020
Goals: Mane 71′, Jones 89′
Jurgen Klopp’s men returned to Anfield for the first time since being crowned champions and off the back of a rare defeat at the hands of Man City, and Aston Villa
There was little to be excited about in the opening half, however, with the Reds lacking any penetration or a connection between the middle of the park and those leading the line.
And while the second term largely read off the same script, one moment of magic was all that was required to see Trent, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane to combine to edge the Reds into the lead.
It was an advantage which remained come full-time, one Curtis Jones double after coming off the bench late to net his first Premier League goal.
Here’s how supporters reacted to the result on Twitter, Facebook and This Is Anfield’s forum.
The first half was a doozy & Reds shared what they hoped to see change for a more entertaining second…
Me too mate pic.twitter.com/UTHJyURPqI
— Craig Hannan (@C_Hannan7) July 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/mkstnr/status/1279807541308841984?s=20
“I’m colour blind and can’t tell the difference from red and green…I think some of our team can’t either!!”
– phil smith on the forums.
Having won the league, Liverpool turned their attention to defeating an even bigger foe: insomnia.
— The Liverpool Offside (@LFCOffside) July 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/_lfcleanne/status/1279812104627851270?s=20
Tough watch that. Midfield is missing Henderson’s intensity & Origi not offering much of a threat #LIVAVL
— Jamie Holme (@JamieHolme) July 5, 2020
Probably the most boring game I’ve ever watched. I’d hook Origi for Taki or Firmino, to try and link the midfield to attack. Provided not everyone’s passing is putrid again, that is.
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) July 5, 2020
Origi off, Minamino on. Would love some minutes for Elliott, Williams and Jones too.
Anything to inject a bit of spark into this game!#LIVAVL #LFC
— Scott Groom (@ScottCGroom) July 5, 2020
There was relief and plaudits as Mane nestled in the first goal of the afternoon…
We don’t deserve it, but that was nice
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) July 5, 2020
Sadio Mané, though. The absolute fella, as per!
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) July 5, 2020
Brilliant work from Naby Keita. Give him space and he will deliver. Got to say, though, that is very harsh on #AVFC.
— Matt Addison (@MattAddison97) July 5, 2020
First time Naby Keita has pushed forward and got in a dangerous position and it’s a superb finish from Mané.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) July 5, 2020
“First goal as champions, a bit ridiculous to say that imo.”
– Livvy on the forums.
First decent move Liverpool have put together the whole game! Good vision from Alexander-Arnold and Keita.
— Jack Sear (@JackSear) July 5, 2020
Sadio Mané has scored 20 goals for the third successive season at Liverpool
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) July 5, 2020
There were questions raised over unpunished contact on Salah in the box…
I struggle to see the difference between the penalty that Pogba got at Tottenham or even Sterling at the Etihad to what Salah didnt get there
— John Bradley (@jbradleymedia) July 5, 2020
Mo needs to lose consciousness whilst breaking multiple bones for sky to admit he’s been fouled
Carra too for some weird reason
Never mind a Mancunian ref
— Simon (@StatsSwearwords) July 5, 2020
If you're a fast player running past a defender and you have your shoulder grabbed every time, then you lose the advantage of your pace and you have to adjust balance. It's illegal. It's not even shoulder-to-shoulder, it's a pull on the shoulder. Not a "terrible" foul, but a foul
— Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) July 5, 2020
Again, Salah with the same contact as Sterling on Thursday. Not given.
— Erin Mc Asterisk (@ErinNYC75) July 5, 2020
This ref is the big winner from a closed ground here. He’d be getting absolutely battered if people were in.
— Phil Blundell (@PhilBlundell) July 5, 2020
And it welcome sight for many to see Jones net his first league goal…
Not a bad way to celebrate signing a new 5 year contract, that! Delighted for Curtis Jones.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) July 5, 2020
That was a very nice goal and the perfect way for Curtis Jones to mark a new contract.
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) July 5, 2020
Great team goal that from Liverpool. Started and finished by Curtis Jones. Nice play from Henderson, Robertson and Salah in between. #LIVAVL
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) July 5, 2020
“This is what we need. A lad from Toxteth.”
– RodM on the forums.
Delighted for @curtisjr_10
Local lad scoring for his boyhood club. A big talent #LIVAVL
— Jamie Holme (@JamieHolme) July 5, 2020
Curtis Jones is the 17th different scorer for @LFC in the league this season – that equals the club record previously set in 1911-12 and 2015-16.
— Ged Rea (@ged0407) July 5, 2020
Ultimately, the subs changed the game and it was another three points in the bank for the champions…
Football without Henderson is nothing.
— Paul Grech (@paul_grech) July 5, 2020
BOUNCING OUT OF ANFIELD AFTER OUR 24TH WIN ON THE BOUNCE LIKE….
— Andy Heaton (@Andrew_Heaton) July 5, 2020
Hello Reds, what a win dat was den.
— Gareth Roberts (@robbohuyton) July 5, 2020
Tidy game management against plucky opponents. Keita lively, nice linking for the opener. Made up for Jones, what a way to cement a career-defining contract. Alisson proving, again, completely priceless at the end. Three more points for the team that cannot be caught. #LFCdigest
— Danny Gallagher (@Danny7Gallagher) July 5, 2020
89 points, 17/17 home wins. Reds back to winning ways. Made up for Curtis Jones what a week for him. Happy weekend! pic.twitter.com/TVbcqGSNoM
— Jeff Goulding (@ShanklysBoys1) July 5, 2020
Another three points, a professional response to the midweek hangover against a side fighting for survival. Another clean sheet for Ali and Liverpool doing what they’ve done so often on the way to the title, ie doing enough!
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) July 5, 2020
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