Liverpool star Daniel Sturridge scored a brace for Liverpool in his second game after returning from injury as he eases a lot of pressure on Brendan Rodgers. Former Manchester City man James Milner scored his first competitve goal for Liverpool and gave them an early lead. Daniel Sturridge doubled Liverpool’s lead after a brilliant finish from a beautiful James Milner pass. Aston Villa’s Gestede scored form Hutton’s cross in the hope of bringing Villa back to the game, but soon Sturridge scored his second goal from a Philippe Coutinho’s pass. Gestede scored his second too late in the game, but that wasn’t enough to earn Aston Villa any points at Anfield.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who is under tremendous pressure, praised the contribution of Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings in his post match press conference.
“It was a really good performance in terms of the creativity and effort the players put into the game,” Rodgers said in his postgame press conference.
“I thought they were absolutely outstanding. It was a really good win for us.
“The last time we scored three goals was when (Sturridge) started the game against Tottenham here.
“If you’re going to compete at the top of the table, you need to have big quality and we have got some very good players here. But Daniel Sturridge has shown over his time here that he is a really top talent. And when you miss that type of quality out of your team, you can suffer for it.
“I thought he was outstanding today. He is probably disappointed he didn’t have a hat-trick, but his overall game and touch and two finishes were outstanding.
“And he showed a great combination with young Danny Ings, who obviously didn’t get a goal today but I thought he played his part up top with Daniel.
“They showed that understanding that good players do. Both can run in behind, both can come short and they pressed the game well. It was very good.”