Mohamed Salah shines while Arne Slott and Liverpool get the support of the fans

On the matchday programme, both Slott and captain Virgil van Dijk wrote how the team’s performance and results were not good enough.

Liverpool already face an uphill task to retain their title, with leaders Arsenal seven points ahead of them, having not conceded a goal since the end of September.

However, there can be no doubt that this result has dramatically lifted the mood around Anfield ahead of a crisis period for the club, with one of the club’s all-time greats playing a vital role.

Salah will not have scored many easier goals for the Reds than the one he provided just before half-time, when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez gifted him the ball, with the 33-year-old Egyptian shooting into an empty net.

It was a historic goal in the club’s history as Salah became only the third man, after Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285), to reach the 250-goal mark for Liverpool.

“It’s almost unbelievable to score 250 goals for one club,” Slott added. “Even if I scored 250 goals overall, it would be unbelievable.

“He performed very well. Not only did he do his job offensively, he helped the team defend very well. I liked his performance tonight and it is special for him to score 250 goals for Liverpool.”

Salah helped Liverpool win the Premier League twice and the Champions League once, as well as playing a starring role in lifting the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup during his eight years at Anfield – following his £34m move from Roma in 2017.

While the four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner has just four league goals this season, Slott will be excited by Salah’s performance – repeatedly cutting the ball in from the right flank to run at Villa’s defence.

Lucas Digne has had a difficult time at left-back and if Liverpool are to have any hope of success this season, they need Salah anywhere near his best.

Salah admitted that he was not at his best in an interview with TNT Sports and said: “It is very important [to get the win today]We suffered some defeats in the Premier League and Champions League. I’m glad we’re back on track now, and it’s a big boost ahead of some important games.

“It’s a very difficult season for us because we have a few new players. They are very good players but they need time to adapt. We lost some players as well. It takes time to adapt and learn each other’s games, but everything will be fine.”

Regarding scoring 250 goals for Liverpool, Salah added: “It is a great feeling to score goals for such a big club. It is something that I do not take for granted. I am very proud and happy with this achievement.”