Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool: Salah Scores Fastest Premier League hat-trick
Aston Villa made a mockery of Liverpool's hopes of moving clear at the top of the Premier League table, thrashing the Merseysiders 7-2 at Villa Park on Sunday.
Ollie Watkins gave Villa an early lead and after Mohamed Salah had equalised, an own goal from Trent Alexander-Arnold restored the hosts' advantage before half-time.
Salah then scored twice in two minutes and four seconds to put Liverpool in front for the first time in the match, but Villa responded with three goals in six minutes from John McGinn, Watkins and Ross Barkley to regain the lead at 6-3.
Salah completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute, becoming the fastest player to score a treble in the Premier League era, but Villa had the final say when Barkley added his second goal of the game 10 minutes from time.
The result leaves Liverpool third in the table, two points behind leaders Manchester City who have a game in hand.
Ollie Watkins gives Villa early lead
Watkins gave Villa the perfect start when he broke the deadlock in the fourth minute after being played in by Barkley.
The goal was Watkins' fifth in his last four Premier League games and it gave Villa a much-needed boost after a poor run of form.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's own goal restores Villa's lead
After Salah had equalised for Liverpool in the 33rd minute, Alexander-Arnold gifted Villa a second goal when he turned Barkley's cross into his own net.
The goal was a cruel blow for Liverpool who had been the better side up until that point.
Salah scores twice in two minutes to put Liverpool in front
Salah put Liverpool back in front with two goals in quick succession in the second half.
The Egyptian's first goal came in the 55th minute when he curled a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Two minutes later, Salah doubled his tally with a close-range finish from Sadio Mane's cross.
Villa respond with three goals in six minutes to regain the lead
Villa refused to give up and they hit back with three goals in six minutes to regain the lead at 6-3.
McGinn started the comeback with a goal in the 67th minute, before Watkins equalised two minutes later.
Barkley then put Villa back in front with a goal in the 74th minute.
Salah completes his hat-trick but Villa have the final say
Salah completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute, becoming the fastest player to score a treble in the Premier League era.
However, Villa had the final say when Barkley added his second goal of the game 10 minutes from time.
Conclusion
Aston Villa's 7-2 victory over Liverpool was one of the most remarkable results in Premier League history.
The result leaves Liverpool third in the table, two points behind leaders Manchester City who have a game in hand.
Villa, meanwhile, move up to eighth place and will be hoping to build on this result when they face Everton in their next game.
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