Manchester City are faltering, Liverpool are flawless. The Premier League leaders took full advantage of the reigning champions’ defeat at Brighton to extend their lead at the top to five points with a confident, clinical defeat of Aston Villa. It was Liverpool’s 15th victory in 17 matches under Arne Slot and they head into the international break with momentum, belief and form on their side.

A first-half strike from Darwin Núñez and a late finish from Mohamed Salah secured victory over Unai Emery’s stubborn side, who lacked the quality in the final third to seriously trouble Liverpool. Liverpool have bettered their tally of 28 points from the opening 11 games only once in the last 34 seasons, in 2019-20, when they went on to win the Premier League.