England international Daniel Sturridge scored a double for Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, as the Reds defeated struggling Aston Villa 3-2.
The pressure has been building on Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, and a defeat could have meant the Northern Irishman heading for the Anfield exit door.
The home side did not take long to take the lead and it was a former-Villa man that did the damage after just 66 seconds.
Philippe Coutinho found fellow midfielder James Milner on the edge of the area and England international found the bottom of corner of Brad Guzan’s net.
Liverpool continued to dominate for much of the game and scored the second on 59 minutes. Milner was involved again, this time flicking the ball to Sturridge, who volleyed an effort first time past Guzan in the Villa goal.
Villa looked to be back in the game on 65 minutes, as Rudy Gestede scored with a stabbed effort from Alan Hutton’s centre. However, the home side regained their two goal lead less than a minute after that Villa goal.
Sturridge played a one-two with Coutinho, before rolling the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Villa refused to lie down and on 71 minutes reduced the deficit once again. Jordan Amavi’s cross was headed home powerful by Gestede for his brace.
Liverpool slowed the tempo of the game, but Sturridge was denied by Guzan, before Micah Richards headed just over the bar for the visitors.
Coutinho and Danny Ings had chances to extend the lead, but in the end the three goals were enough to ensure a crucial victory for the side from Merseyside.
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