Liverpool kept their title charge on track with a 1-0 win against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa at Anfield. In what turned out to be a closely-contested encounter, Klopp’s men prevailed over their counterparts via a decisive spot-kick, despite dominating the game for the larger part.
The home side won a second-half penalty after Tyrone Mings was adjudged to have committed a foul on Mohammed Salah inside the box.
Villa’s shot-stopper Emi Martinez, notorious for his on-field antics, did his best to get into the Egyptians’ head as he prepared himself to convert another kick from the spot.
In an effort to distract the Liverpool winger, the Argentine goalkeeper appeared to point to his right just before the spot-kick. But then, diving to his left, the 29-year old managed to judge the correct flight of the ball.
Even so, Salah’s penalty was so precise that it rattled the post before finding the back of the bottom corner, rendering Martinez’s antics more or less pointless.
With that, the Argentine became part of an increasing group of shot-stoppers who tried yet failed miserably to overcome Salah with their goalkeeping mind games.
Such is Liverpool’s forward brilliance from 12 yards that he has now managed to outdo some of Europe’s best goalkeepers, despite their best efforts at trying to get under his skin.
This includes the likes of Jan Oblak and Edouard Mendy, against whom Salah have scored some remarkable penalties.
The latest victory at Anfield means Liverpool continue their winning streak of five league games as the Reds continue their title pursuit with only one point behind league leaders Manchester City.
