The magnitude of his 164th game as Liverpool manager did not show in Brendan Rodgers’ reaction to a precious victory over Aston Villa.
A handshake for Tim Sherwood, a pat on the back for Gary McAllister, a thumbs-up to the directors’ box and he was gone. Reprieved and relieved by the much-missed class of Daniel Sturridge. Rodgers has waited a damaging length of time for Sturridge to regain fitness and the clinical touch his team has desperately lacked this year. He was repaid when it mattered most, the England international scoring twice to seal a first win in five league matches after James Milner had driven Liverpool into a swift lead.
Of course it could never run smoothly for a manager in Rodgers’s predicament. He endured unnecessarily nervous moments after poor defending allowed Rudy Gestede to score twice and give Villa hope their naive and careless play scarcely deserved. But Liverpool, sharper in all facets than of late and showing the obvious benefit of a proven marksman in their ranks, held firm to release some of the pressure on Rodgers.
“It is not rocket science,” said the Liverpool manager. “The last time we scored three goals was when Daniel started against Tottenham [in February]. “If you want to compete at the top you need quality. Daniel has shown in his time here that he is a real top talent. He’s probably disappointed he didn’t get a hat-trick but his overall game and touch were outstanding. He also showed a great combination with Danny Ings in the first time they have started together.”
Rodgers went on to suggest he is victim of a conspiracy by people “outside of here” who want him removed from his job.
When the emotions had faded, it was Sherwood who was left with the greater problems given the paucity of his team’s performance. A young Villa side have not won in the Premier League since the opening day.
The Villa manager said: “We will always score goals and if you score two at Anfield you expect to take something from the game but we didn’t do that. It was the same against Leicester. That is a major disappointment but it is something I expected. It is a young group of players we acquired. The club decided it was the best way to go forward. I am very privileged to have the chance to work with them but it comes with its ups and downs and you can see that now.”
James Milner scored after just 66 seconds as Liverpool got back to winning ways with a much-needed three points against Aston Villa.
The midfielder opened the scoring against his old club with the fastest goal in the Premier League this season before the game exploded into life in the second half.
Daniel Sturridge netted for the first time since March when he volleyed in Liverpool's second just before the hour mark.
Rudy Gestede pulled one back before Sturridge netted again within 60 seconds to restore Liverpool's two-goal advantage.
Jordan Amavi crossed for Gestede to tower home a header in the 70th minute, but the home side held on.
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