What Dibu Martinez did as Liverpool beat Aston Villa on Boxing Day

In the return of the Premier League on Monday the Reds thrashed the Villains by a comprehensive 3-1 scoreline

26/12/2022, 07:49 PM +00:00

Liverpool recorded an important 3-1 win over Aston Villa in a match in which Jürgen Klopp's men showed determination and a punchy display. Goals from Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and youngster Stefan Bajcetic proved decisive against a Birmingham side who, despite a good attitude and attacking intent, struggled for goals from their strikers.

Liverpool were back in action today, needing a third consecutive win in a Premier League where they can no longer afford too many slip-ups. After an inconsistent start to the season, the Reds are still a long way off the top four and must make it three in three if they are not to miss out on Champions League football next season.

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Although Aston Villa have improved their performances since Unai Emery took over the reins in the dressing room, the game was quickly put to bed for the visitors. In the fourth minute, after an early goalmouth scramble, Egypt's Mohamed Salah tapped home Andy Robertson's one-touch finish to seal his side's intentions. The North African was on target for the sixth time in the last six meetings with the Villains.

After getting back into the game, Villa continued to take risks in search of an equaliser. Emery's side decided to play a bit of a game of heads and tails and on one of Liverpool's increasingly insistent counter-attacks, the coin fell on the wrong side of the coin. Youngster Stefan Bajcetic, who had only just come on, followed up a swift move and capitalised on a rebound to score his first Premiership goal and seal victory for the Reds.

Dibu Martinez watched the game at home

While the Villains were defeated by the Reds, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Dibu Martinez, who has been in controversy since the Qatar World Cup due to his excessive celebrations, watched the game from home without showing any reaction to the defeat. This has provoked various comments from fans.