Defending champions Liverpool were outgunned by last season’s relegation-survivor, Aston Villa in a nine-goal thriller as Ollie Watkins bagged a first-half hat-trick.
Jurgen Klopp watched in shock as his team suffered a 7-2 humiliation at the hands of the Villans who maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season.
Liverpool were without new signing Thiago Alcantara and star player Sadio Mane who were ruled out due to Coronavirus, including injured first-choice keeper Alisson.
His replacement Adria became a thorn in the flesh for the Reds when he gifted a pass to Jack Grealish to set up Watkins inside four minutes.
The club record £28m signing from Brentford then added a second with a superb run and shot before Mo Salah reduced the arrears on 33 minutes.
However, Liverpool’s expected resurgence didn’t materialise as John McGinn’s deflected shot restored Villa’s two-goal cushion just two minutes later. Watkins then completed his treble on 39 minutes when the visitors’ shaky defence were caught out by a deep free-kick.
The goals continued to flow after the break, with Ross Barkley marking his debut for the Villans with a fifth on 55 minutes.
Salah pulled another back for the away side but the impressive Grealish ensured he got in on the act with a late double.
The victory means Villa move up to second, three points behind Everton with three victories from three. Liverpool are down in fifth after seeing their own 100 per cent record spectacularly come to an end.
The Reds will now have to lick their wounds during the international break prior to a crunch derby at Everton on October 17. Villa will look to maintain their brilliant start when they visit Leicester on the same day.
(FeedMuster)
