Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted he was relieved to see his side’s luck finally turn as they ended a four-match Premier League losing streak with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah reached another milestone, becoming only the third player in Liverpool history to score 250 goals for the club when he struck in first-half stoppage time. Ryan Gravenberch, returning from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury, sealed the result with a deflected effort midway through the second half — giving the Reds just their second win in eight matches across all competitions.

“The margins are small every single game — today, after five minutes, they [Villa’s Morgan Rogers] hit the post,” Slot told BBC Match of the Day. “We didn’t concede from a set piece, which was helpful, but we also got a bit lucky — something that hasn’t happened recently. Our second goal was a deflection.”

Slot acknowledged that Villa’s early chance could have changed the game, adding:

“When they hit the post, that was their biggest opportunity. In recent weeks, every time that ball went in — today, it didn’t.”

The Dutchman said taking the lead allowed Liverpool to manage the game with greater composure.

“The good thing about being 1-0 or 2-0 up is that you can control the game better with more possession,” he said. “If you’re behind, you have to chase and take more risks.”

Captain Virgil van Dijk echoed Slot’s relief but cautioned against complacency, stressing the importance of unity amid recent criticism.

“There’s a lot of noise that you have no control over, and we have to deal with that as a team,” Van Dijk said. “Some of the takes are ridiculous, but we stick together.”

The defender urged focus and perspective as Liverpool look to rebuild momentum.

“Now it’s time to keep working — never get too high or too low,” he added. “We live in a world where everyone can have their own opinions on so many platforms, and they think they know better. We have to stay away from that and focus on our hard work.

Last season we did some negative stuff, but everything was sunshine and rainbows. Now it sounds like we’re in a relegation battle — that’s just how it works in this world.”