Liverpool were back to winning ways as the pressure was lifted off Brendan Rodgers at least for some time when they took on Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday. Rudy Gestede gave the hosts a scare with a brace but Daniel Sturridge saved the blushes and gave the Kop all three points on the day.
Here are the player ratings for the game
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet (2.5): Once again shaky at the back with his distribution but could not do much to stop Villa and Gestede from scoring.
Martin Skrtel (3): Was never under real pressure from the Villa front line but was no competition in the air against Gestede.
Mamadou Sakho (3): Another player who was troubled by the height of Gestede. But made some crucial interceptions when needed.
Emre Can (2.5): A sedate game for the German. A bad clearance gave Gestede a chance to score and was also left wanting at times.
Alberto Moreno (3.5): Used his pace in attack and put some great balls in from the flank. Was also stable in defense.
Nathaniel Clyne (2.5): Provided the width needed down the flanks but was rarely able to put in crosses that troubled the defense.
Lucas Leiva (3.5): Never allowed any Villa player to dwell on the ball and controlled the mid-field area with an air of dominance.
James Milner (4.5): Scored his first goal in Red for Liverpool and was tireless in chasing the ball all around the field.
Philippe Coutinho (4): Found plenty of spaces high up the field and played with a grace. Bagged 2 assists on the night.
Danny Ings (3.5): An impressive performance as he partnered well with Daniel Sturridge up front. Should have had a goal for himself in the second half.
Daniel Sturridge (4.5): Was not back to full fitness but showed what Liverpool were lacking in the previous games. Bagged two goals in the second half and should have had a hatrick.
SUBS
Joe Allen (2.5)
Aston Villa
Brad Guzan (3): Made his presence felt in his area when the ball was played in the air. Made some crucial saves that saved the embarrassment for the visitors.
Alan Hutton (3): A brilliant ball to set up one of Gestede’s goals. But was often over run by the like of Moreno down the flank.
Micah Richards (2.5): Made a number of crucial blocks in defense but squandered a chance to score at the other end.
Jolean Lescott (2.5): Blocked a number of shots but did not put the hosts under enough pressure in the penalty area.
Jordan Amavi (2.5): Was solid down his flank and never allowed Clyne to dwell on the ball. But provided no width down his flank in attack.
Ashley Westwood (3): Should have scored a goal in the first half. Looked comfortable in the mid field moving the ball around.
Carlos Sanchez (2.5): Showed plenty of strength in the defensive mid-field area but failed to read the game at times and gave Liverpool the space in front of the back line.
Idrissa Gueye (2.5): Often outplayed in the mid-field by the likes of Lucas and failed to have any impact on the game fromt the middle of the park.
Jack Grealish (2): Stretched the Liverpool defense at times but was not consistent enough as he lost the ball too many times.
Rudy Gestede (4): Scored twice for his team and could have had at least one more. Used his height to bully the Liverpool defenders all night long.
SUBS
Jordan Veretout (2.5)
Adama Traore (3) Adama Traore troubled the Reds’ defense constantly and imposed threat on their backline.