Manama, Dec. 11 (BNA): Steven Gerrard’s return to Anfield ended in disappointment as Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty awarded Liverpool a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.
Long-time Liverpool captain turned coach of Villa Gerrard returned to his boyhood club in a professional capacity for the first time since leaving in 2015 and was given a standing ovation as he walked onto the pitch for the match. But he left empty-handed.
Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez frustrated Liverpool until Tyrone Mings managed to pull Salah in the 67th minute, and the Egyptian striker converted his 15th successful penalty kick in a row, according to the Associated Press.
The victory kept Liverpool one point behind leaders Manchester City and one point ahead of Chelsea in the triple title race.
Gerrard came into the game after making a good start to managing the Premier League with three wins in four games and a narrow defeat against Manchester City.
But he adopted a defensive game plan against his former club.
Liverpool forced Martinez to make some low and close saves in the first half and Virgil van Dijk’s header was saved by the goalkeeper at the beginning of the second half.
But the host’s pressure was finally told when Salah stood behind the FIA defense line and was brought down by Mings.
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