After winning their previous home league games by 4-0 each against Arsenal and Southampton, Liverpool needed a penalty from Mohammed Salah to defeat a resilient Aston Villa side led by Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard in his first return to Anfield in managerial capacity.
The former Liverpool captain was treated to a resounding ovation as he stepped out onto a field where he played the whole of his career, winning 9 trophies.
Jurgen Klopp restored his team after rotating against AC Milan, with attacking trio of Mohammed Salah, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Sadio Mane the only players remaining from that team in midweek.
Steven Gerrard did not have too many tweaks to make to his side that won last time out against Leicester City. Emiliano Buendia was dropped to the bench for Matt Targett, who returned to his right back position, allowing Ashley Young play in a more advanced role.
The hosts came close to opening the floodgates in the 11th minute when Andy Robertson sent a cross that was dummied by Salah, giving Alexander Arnold the chance to shoot, but his effort was deflected wide of goal by Targett.
Five minutes later, the right back returned the favour to his opposite number and the left back hit a shot that was, again blocked by Targett and Emiliano Martinez had to gather on the second attempt.
Alisson almost made a mess of himself to gift the visitors the lead. He went for a cross into the box and slipped before he could get there, allowing Young to pounce. He lobbed his cross over the goalkeeper, but Fabinho was there to block before any Villa player could react.
Martinez was called into action in the last minute of the first half when Salah was played through by Fabinho. The Egyptian cut onto his left to hit a low drive towards the near post that was saved by Martinez.
The Argentine would need to do more of same as he denied Virgil van Dijk after the break from an Andy Robertson corner as the Red kept asking the questions.
The answer would finally come with about 25 minutes left to play when Tyron Mings clumsily brought down Salah in the area and the forwarded slotted the resulting penalty into the bottom corner with what proved to be the winning goal.
Liverpool failed to create any more clear cut chances while Aston Villa were unable to fight back and earn at least a point.
Concluding Thoughts
Liverpool needed to do something different against a stubborn villa side and found a way to grab three points to keep pace with Manchester City at the top.
Gerrard must have felt welcomed and that his boys put in a good shift, despite having calls for a penalty waved off when Alisson looked to have caught Danny Ings late on. His side defended well for the better part of the game, but he'd have preferred at least a point to mark his return.
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