Super Sturridge is keeping the Reds’ flag flying
LIVERPOOL passed a good early test of their Champions League credentials as they secured a hard-earned win against upwardlymobile opponents.
Last year was the fourth successive season that they have been out of the all-important top-four spots and they are determined to put an end to that this campaign.
And away wins at places like this are essential if they want to achieve their aim.
While Brendan Rodgers went with the same team that secured an opening day win over Stoke, Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert opted to shuffle his pack after their narrow midweek defeat at Chelsea.
Summer signings Jores Okore from Denmark and Dutchman Leandro Bacuna were drafted in for full Premier League debuts.
Luis Suarez was again a long way from Liverpool thoughts.
He won’t reappear until late September, that’s if he remains beyond the transfer window.
So focus was on Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho to see if they could build on the early promise they have shown playing together.
However, the Brazilian couldn’t get his radar right when he attempted to curl one into the top corner after a quarter of an hour.
But the link-up play between him and Sturridge worked a treat moments later to prise open the home defence.
Coutinho dummied Jo s e Enrique’s pass which allowed the ball to reach Sturridge.
He did the rest all by himself as he showed fantastic footwork and close control in the area to round Brad Guzan and poke the ball into the roof of the net.
It is now 13 goals in 18 matches since the forward’s move from Chelsea in January.
The visitors had been the better team, but just like in their first game, they were indebted to a crucial save from their new goalkeeper to preserve the lead.
Christian Benteke muscled Kolo Toure off the ball just before the break and produced a shot that looked destined for the far corner, only for Simon Mignolet to keep it out at full stretch.
Villa suddenly had mo re impetus and Andreas Weimann’s volley deflected off Daniel Agger and whistled just over the bar.
With the game evenly poised through the second period, Aly Cissokho was sent on for his Liverpool debut having arrived on a season’s loan from Valencia. Benteke remained his side’s biggest threat and he climbed well to meet Antonio Luna’s corner, but his header was off target.
Yet the Reds nearly shot themselves in the foot when Agger and Mignolet were far too casual with a goal kick and the keeper was relieved to see Agger’s careless back pass go behind for a corner.
But Mignolet proved his worth with a match-winning save late on as Benteke’s fierce drive was excellently pushed behind.