Reports: Jurgen Klopp would demand transfer overhaul if appointed Liverpool manager

Jurgen Klopp would only take over from Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool manager if the club’s transfer committee setup was dismantled, reports claim.

Jurgen Klopp “would demand the end of Liverpool’s transfer committee” if he takes over from Brendan Rodgers as Reds manager.

That is according to the Mail‘s Joe Bernstein, who suggests that Klopp would interested in the role—but only if his stipulations were met by Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group.

“The German tactician has also made it clear he would only be interested in ending his sabbatical by taking a job at Anfield if he is a unanimous choice rather than just elements within the club,” Berstein claims.

He later continues: “The former Borussia Dortmund manager is open to the idea of managing one of Europe’s traditional big clubs but only on his terms.”

This report comes off the back of previous claims from the Independent‘s Simon Hughes that FSG had been “warned against hiring” Klopp.

Klopp’s perceived demands are likely based on common-sense assumptions, but the German has history of working within a different transfer setup at Borussia Dortmund.

Scrapping the transfer committee could see FSG employ a director of football—an appointment they desired before Rodgers joined in 2012.

Klopp worked alongside Michael Zorc at Dortmund, with the former BVB midfielder overseeing incomings and outgoings.

This situation suits Klopp, as his agent explained in June:

In Germany there is a clear separation between manager and sporting director and I think in principle this is very good.

Jürgen does not like to speak to players’ agents or to carry out a transfer.

So we have to see which is the most useful arrangement.

Though a director of football setup would be FSG’s preferred approach to the transfer market, the mistakes of Damien Comolli under John W. Henry and Tom Werner at Liverpool should serve as a warning sign.

Comolli spent around £120 million in two years on Merseyside, signing Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Doni, Jose Enrique, Sebastian Coates, Craig Bellamy, Jordon Ibe and Danny Ward.

Only half of those acquisitions can be considered successful, while only Henderson, Enrique, Ibe and Ward remain at the club.

If FSG were to bow to Klopp’s demands, appointing the right fit as head of transfers is essential.

Failing to do so would likely see the charismatic German retread the flawed path of Rodgers in the Anfield hot seat.

• FROM APRIL: Do Liverpool need a Director of football?

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Player Focus: Emre Can presents an issue in centre-back role vs. Aston Villa

The struggle of Emre Can in an unnatural centre-back role in Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa should be addressed by Brendan Rodgers.

Reverting to a three-man defence was a no-brainer for Brendan Rodgers this season, with the virtues of an overloaded attacking system proven by improved performances against Norwich City, Bordeaux and in Liverpool’s victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.

But one major flaw in this defensive setup has emerged in recent weeks in the troubling performances of Emre Can, fielded out of position as Rodgers’ right-sided centre-back.

Though the goalscoring exploits of Daniel Sturridge have masked some of Liverpool’s deficiencies in this latest Anfield victory, Rodgers should have noted Can’s display, and his contribution to Villa striker Rudy Gestede’s brace.

It may be time for a change of personnel, as analysing Can’s performance suggests.

Defensive Struggles

Towards the end of the 2014/15 campaign, Rodgers fielded Can at right-back in a four-man defence, with the German mercilessly exploited by opposing wingers.

In particular, Can was targeted by the imperious Marko Arnautovic in the Reds’ 6-1 loss at the hands of Stoke City on the final day of the season—the former Inter Milan winger made four successful dribbles and three key passes on that miserable afternoon at the Britannia Stadium, registering two assists.

Can was withdrawn at half-time of that clash, with Rodgers clearly noting his deficiency in the defensive sector.

Unfortunately, while Can proved a useful option as centre-back in Liverpool’s three-man back line last season, these problems continued against Villa on Saturday.

Largely, this came with the 21-year-old’s poor positioning and lethargic approach to tracking runners.

Can finds himself out of position and sluggish in the challenge as Grealish surges past him and Clyne.

With Jack Grealish firmly established as one of Villa’s most dangerous attacking players, Can took a lackadaisical approach to defending when the 20-year-old dribbled towards the Liverpool penalty area.

Despite being fielded as a centre-back, Can found himself in a position alongside right wing-back Nathaniel Clyne, effectively nullifying his own defensive responsibility, with the former Southampton man taking the initiative.

When Grealish beat both with his skill, Can was forced to charge back to cover.

Lazily tracking back with Grealish already surging ahead – Clyne eventually deals with the Villa winger.

Similarly when Villa advanced up the right flank, Can continued to ignore the threat of Grealish. With Alan Hutton receiving possession by the halfway line, Grealish was allowed to ghost past the German and towards the Liverpool penalty area.

The danger of this approach from Can was evident as Hutton’s deep cross looked set to land at the path of the Villa midfielder, who had worked his way into the Liverpool penalty area.

Having trudged back into a defensive position, Can was then caught off-guard and forced into a wild clearance.

With no awareness of his surroundings, Can makes a weak clearance from Hutton’s delivery – straight to Gestede.

Due to the shape of his body in tracking back, Can was unaware of the safety of his surroundings and required to clear the ball with his weaker left foot.

This fell nicely for Gestede on the edge of the 18-yard box, with the Benin international sparing the German any blushes by hammering his effort just wide of Simon Mignolet‘s goal.

This should have been a warning for Can, however, but the Liverpool man continued to overlook danger in the penalty area.

Allows Gestede to pass him too easily for Villa’s first goal.

The way in which Gestede sauntered past Can for his first goal of the night was criminal from a defensive perspective, with Can’s flailing arms offering little in the way of a barrier between the Villa striker and an open goal.

This was characteristic of Can’s work at centre-back at Anfield; seemingly disinterested in his unorthodox role, Can seemed to give up with many of his duties, leaving a considerable gap between him and Clyne, which the impressive Jordan Amavi exploited with his pace on many occasions.

Watching on, Rodgers should have been made aware that this is not Can’s position, and his progressive play elsewhere against Villa should have highlighted his strengths.

Progressive Play

“The most important thing is I feature in the games for Liverpool—that’s my number one intention,” Can told LFCTV during pre-season.

“A midfield role is preferable; of course it is the manager who decides who plays where. We’ll see where he choses to play me this season. It is up to the manager but my preference is midfield.”

Though decidedly polite in his stressing of his positional preference, this was a clear plea to Rodgers to deploy him as a central midfielder in 2015/16, after spending much of the previous campaign as a utility player.

Can is right: he is too good a player to be Liverpool’s John O’Shea.

With Villa sitting incredibly deep for much of Saturday’s clash, perhaps inspired by Carlisle United’s frustrating rearguard effort in the 1-1 League Cup draw in midweek, Can was allowed to probe into midfield areas when the Reds were in possession.

When Liverpool are in possession, Can finds himself drawn towards the Villa penalty area – this is where he wants to play. Again, Can is stationed way up the pitch when Liverpool attack. A natural midfielder.

With James Milner supporting Sturridge and Danny Ings in attack, and Clyne and Alberto Moreno given license to overlap on the flanks, Liverpool applied considerable pressure to the Villa defence—with Rodgers finding a more efficient system than against the Cumbrians.

Liverpool overloaded the final third, and as a result Can had plenty of space to occupy in midfield.

It is clear that this is the area he wishes to play and, having fielded him as a central midfielder in the opening games of 2015/16, Rodgers must be aware of his quality in these central areas.

Can is capable of performing in a defensive role in midfield, with three of his four interceptions against Villa coming in central areas, but he is not a last-ditch defender—Can needs a covering centre-back to operate behind him.

This allows him to drive at defences with his Yaya Toure-like power, and deploying him in a purely defensive role in a back three deprives Liverpool of an extremely useful, probing outlet in attack.

Can’s poor display at centre-back against Villa should prompt Rodgers into a rethink in terms of personnel—and, fortunately, there is an obvious solution at hand.

The Solution: Joe Gomez

Just as Can wants to play as a midfielder, Joe Gomez wants to play as a centre-back.

“At the end of the day I see myself as a centre-back and in years to come that is where I hope to play,” he said at the start of September, before continuing to employ the hint-hint approach that Can had back in July:

At the moment I just have to learn and be grateful to play where I can and use it as a stepping-stone to be the best centre-back I can be.

I know I am still young and people can be wary of putting in young players, especially at centre-back. But the gaffer at Liverpool is good at managing young players and giving me advice so hopefully I will get my opportunity to play at centre-back

It is clear that neither Can or Gomez would challenge Rodgers’ judgment as to their best position, or their most useful role at this juncture, but logic dictates that both would be better off in their most natural position.

Can’s poor performance at centre-back suggests that a move into midfield would be beneficial—though whether he can dislodge Milner and Lucas Leiva after their strong displays at Anfield remains to be seen.

Can’s Game in Numbers:

90 minutes
70 touches
62 passes
83.9% passing accuracy
1 key pass
0 tackles
4 interceptions
3 clearances

Similarly, Gomez being exploited at left-back in his last start for the Reds in the Premier League so far—up against Matteo Darmian and Juan Mata in the 3-1 loss to Manchester United—suggests that he would be better served at centre-back from now on.

Moreover, Gomez’s ability in bringing the ball out from the back, paired with his defensive strength, should make him an ideal candidate for the right centre-back role.

Why put Can through misery out of position?

Fielding Gomez at centre-back and Can in midfield should see Liverpool’s 3-4-1-2 formation continue to flourish—with its main flaw ironed out.

• Read more: Coutinho, Milner and Lucas all benefit from tweaked Liverpool midfield vs. Aston Villa

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Liverpool 3-2 Aston Villa: Hangovers, Palm Trees and Daniel Sturridge

The magic of Daniel Sturridge prevented another Sunday morning hangover for Brendan Rodgers, with Liverpool defeating Aston Villa 3-2.

Going to the game with a hangover is never a good idea, but given our current form it borders on the masochistic.

It’s even worse when you ignore your liver’s pleas for mercy and agree to meet in a pub for pre-match beer. ‘Get a pint down you quick and you’ll be sound.’ That’s probably not the best medical advice I’ve ever received, but as it happened it worked.

I had decided to walk, hoping the fresh air would clear my throbbing head. That idea didn’t work and by the time I reached the pub, I am told I was a weird shade of grey and had a serious case of the beer sweats.

This wasn’t a good start. The perfect metaphor for the footy: the mood was flat and few could see Liverpool managing to get much from the game.

The smattering of Villa fans dotted around the Flat Iron seemed happy enough.

Why shouldn’t they be? After all, Anfield has been a happy hunting ground for them of late.

Yes we’d robbed them of their main threat, signing Benteke in the summer, but this is a Liverpool side that only strikes fear into…well, Liverpool fans. They must have fancied three points and who could blame them.

On the telly Spurs and City were busy proving what a crazy season this was already proving to be – it was a point that Chelsea would reinforce at St James’ Park later in the day. This is surely the only crumb of comfort in a start that has sent most of us crashing into the depths of depression.

Any team that can put together a decent run of results could find themselves, no matter how undeserved, sitting at the summit. Yet still none of those crowded into that alehouse at 2pm could see Liverpool actually managing that.

There is an air of fatalism surrounding the club at the moment. Few of us could see Rodgers surviving until Christmas and even after the game the feeling persists.

I played “he’s lost the plot” and “we don’t look like we’ve got a clue” bingo as I supped my pint and prayed for the waves of nausea to subside. At least my headache was subsiding.

Then a small group of Villa fans decided to ramp up the cringe-ometer.

As someone who is hurtling towards 50 at an uncomfortable rate, I am constantly bemused and annoyed by modern football. I am probably no different to my Dad, who would always delight in telling me, every time I listened to the ‘Top 40’, that “it’s not music – it’s just noise!”

Good one Dad.

However, even if I admit that I am becoming a grumpy old man, there can surely be no justification for running through a pub with an inflatable palm tree, singing “he’s got a palm tree on his head” to the tune of “he’s got the whole world in his hands.”

I would have rolled my eyes skyward in the old days, filled with a sense of superiority and certainty that we would never indulge in such nonsense. Then it occurred to me that, although I am yet to see a palm tree at Anfield, it’s probably only a matter of time.

Liverpool as a club are on the brink of becoming ordinary. There is evidence all around, from the ambitions of the boardroom to the chants of “who are ya?” and the boos on the Kop.

We are slowly losing any right to look down our noses at other clubs and their fans. All may not be lost yet, but it’s a depressing trend.

It was approaching match-time so we downed our pints and followed the palm tree and it’s band of merry Villans into the September sun. We separated outside the Kop and agreed to meet up again afterwards for a couple regardless of the score.

As I took my seat I was buoyed by news that Sturridge and Ings would start up-front. At least I hoped that would be the case and Ings wouldn’t be pushed wide, leaving Sturridge isolated. There was more talk about must-wins and ‘he’ll be gone if we lose this’ – and then the game got underway.

When you’re completely bereft of confidence the last thing you need is a tense nervy start, in which the opposition can build patiently and put you under pressure.

Fortunately for us James Milner had decided we wouldn’t be having any of that – I’d barely sat down and the ball was nestling in the bottom corner of the Anfield Road goal.

“Did you see who got it?” “Milner – Get in!” It was exactly what we needed and hopefully we would build on it.

Villa are poor and should have been the perfect sacrificial lambs. If only.

Liverpool looked better and were clearly benefiting from two up top. Milner and Lucas were also having a good game, but it was at the back where things were still not right.

The back three doesn’t seem to be working and it’s even harder to understand why Can should be anywhere near it. He struggled all game in that position and you just can’t help but feel his obvious talent is being wasted there.

Of course we could get through the half without a trademark goalmouth flap from Mignolet.

Just before half-time he elected to punch an Alan Hutton cross rather than save. As usual it was followed by some defensive chaos, but fortunately Westwood shot wide when he looked certain to score.

It drew anger and frustration from the Kop, but fortunately no boos. The crowd had been in good form in the first half and it was a welcome reprieve from the bad-tempered atmosphere of midweek.

Half-time came and it was a case of so far, so good.

Villa were appalling. They looked clueless and completely lacking in ambition. Yet they had still managed to fashion a couple of chances.

We needed a second and early on, if we were going to avoid more frustration.

As the second half got underway the signs were good. Milner was at it again and drew a decent save from Guzan with the half barely 10 minutes old, then Coutinho followed up with a free-kick that was a bit too easy for the keeper.

The noise level was good, and I sensed a breakthrough was coming – then Sturridge spectacularly obliged.

He played a great one-two with Milner and dispatched a superb volley into the far corner. The Kop erupted and, as the pandemonium died down, I saw him doing his dance with a big beaming smile on his face.

My seat under the scoreboard gives me a view of the hospitality lounges in the Centenary Stand.

Clearly Daniel’s family were in one of them and jubilant celebrations broke out, which the player acknowledged on the pitch.

He had clearly needed that and he will have enjoyed hearing the Kop sing his name once again. It’s been a rough ride for the forward, but he proved exactly what we had been missing with that finish.

I admit my immediate thought was ‘get him off’ – Sturridge is now so crucial to our season now, an injury would spell disaster.

Fortunately Rodgers had other ideas, and the striker would see out most of the game, because Liverpool’s defence would ensure that we need his heroics once again.

At 2-0 the game should have been over. Villa had offered little and surely they had a mountain to climb now. From that point on the best they could have hoped for should have been damage limitation. A better side would have destroyed them; they were that bad.

This is Liverpool though and as recoveries go this is a very fragile one.

This was a point Villa would hammer home on 66 minutes. To be fair the Reds’ defence can claim the assist. Alan Hutton easily beat his man down the right and crossed for Gestede to score as the back three appeared to say “after you sir”.

I have no idea why Mamadou Sakho punched the floor repeatedly, but his obvious anger was mirrored in the stands. This is the Liverpool we have come to know and loathe; self destructive and calamitous.

The difference yesterday though was Sturridge.

Villa fans had no sooner finished celebrating when he popped up again to restore our two-goal cushion. Another delightful one-two, this time with Phillipe Coutinho.

El Magico delivered a delightful backheel into his team-mate’s path and the striker dutifully dispatched it low into the far corner. Cue more scenes of delirium, only this time as they settled down it wasn’t a jubilant Sturridge that caught my eye.

To my right and in the Centenary Stand I notice a fan in a Henderson shirt holding up a sign.

It was a homemade job and wrapped in a plastic sleeve. This ‘supporter’ had obviously waited for his moment and confident he stood a chance of getting on the telly, with the cameras on the celebrating Liverpool’s players he held his ‘work of art’ aloft.

I could clearly see that he had printed “Suarez made you Brendan – #RodgersOut.”

It astounds me that any Liverpool fan would smuggle something so embarrassing into the ground, let alone hold it up when we have just scored. At that moment I was growing genuinely nostalgic for the inflatable palm tree.

The Kop burst into a rendition of Poetry in Motion and for a brief moment I was transported back to happier times.

It was to prove very short lived: just four minutes later Amavi delivered an inch-perfect cross into the Liverpool box and once again, completely unchallenged, Gestede planted the ball in the back of the net.

3-2 and a nervy finale beckoned. Villa, a team completely lacking in ambition had somehow managed to score twice at Anfield. My hangover was beginning to resurface and another weekend of avoiding the papers beckoned.

Liverpool didn’t retreat though and to be fair they kept pushing forward. Sturridge repeatedly squandered chances for his hat-trick. He was clearly tiring and you could see he wouldn’t finish the game. There was more frustration as Coutinho’s brilliant free-kick was saved by Guzan, but Liverpool held on for the three points.

As the whistle went a loud roar of approval went up, as much in relief as anything else.

For Brendan this represented temporary shelter from the storm.

However, a better team would have beaten Liverpool yesterday and if this is to become permanent respite for the boss he will need to keep Sturridge fit and plug the holes in our defence.

Mind you, a prolific striker and a leaky back-line – wasn’t that the ‘hair of the dog’ that bit us in 2013/14?

• Read more: Sturridge saves Rodgers: 5 talking points from Liverpool 3-2 Aston Villa

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Lucas Leiva: Liverpool’s players are behind Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool’s much-needed win over Aston Villa underlined the players’ support for under-pressure manager Brendan Rodgers, according to midfielder Lucas Leiva.

The Reds boss has been under increased scrutiny recently, to the extent the club had to this week dismiss reports Carlo Ancelotti had been approached about the possibility of taking over.

But the 3-2 win at Anfield – their first since August 17 – eased some of the pressure on the Northern Irishman.

“We wanted to win for the manager,” said Lucas.

“We know what has been said about him and think we showed we are a group of players behind him and trying to make everything right.”

The Brazil midfielder added on BBC Sport: “We know the pressure is on him but we wanted to play the way he wants us to play and I think we did that.”

Daniel Sturridge‘s first goals since March could not have come at a better time as the England striker suggested he was edging towards regaining full sharpness after a May hip operation.

They proved to be the difference as although captain James Milner gave them the perfect start with his first goal for the club after just 67 seconds the period of incisive, sharp play which followed did not produce further rewards.

Villa were happy to be only 1-0 down at half-time and even when Sturridge struck his first, a sumptuous left-foot volley, they did not crumble with Rudy Gestede bundling home a far-post cross.

Sturridge’s second after a neat one-two with Philippe Coutinho was just as clinical but Gestede’s powerful header ensured a nervy finish – which could have been avoided had Liverpool’s striker not missed two chances to secure a hat-trick.

Despite all the talk of a crisis the victory lifted Liverpool to within five points of leaders Manchester United.

“Football is a crazy game, lots of things get said and it changes so fast,” Milner told liverpoolfc.com.

“We just need make sure that we concentrate on what’s happening in that dressing room with the backroom staff, the manager and the players, we stick together and hopefully this can kick-start this next run of games for us.

“It says a lot about the team that we kept going and got the win.

“I think we had the better of the game – in terms of chances, possession and territory but the big man they had up front was dangerous.

“They got two goals and that’s something for us to work on.”

Villa boss Tim Sherwood has plenty of food for thought after fifth defeat in seven matches left them in the bottom three.

However, while Gestede is still scoring – he now has four – they have a good chance of turning things around.

“I am not sure it is a mentality thing. A lot of these players need to settle into the country and the Premier League,” said the manager.

“I think we deserve to have more points but we have to take it on the chin. We have to look forward now to Stoke.

“People questioned if he would score in the Premier League but Rudy Gestede will score at any level of the game because he is such a threat.”

• Read more: Lucas Leiva praises Daniel Sturridge: “His quality is amazing”

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool “monitoring” former target Victor Valdes

Former Liverpool target Victor Valdes has re-emerged on the Reds’ radar after failing to establish himself at Manchester United, reports claim.

After deciding against a move for then-free agent Victor Valdes a year ago, Liverpool have restored their interest in the Spanish goalkeeper, with his move to north-west rivals Manchester United proving a failure.

That is according to ESPN’s Peter O’Rourke, who claims that both Liverpool and Chelsea are “monitoring” Valdes’ fortunes at Old Trafford.

“Liverpool are also considering their goalkeeping options with Simon Mignolet coming under recent scrutiny following his mistake in the 1-1 draw with Norwich last weekend,” O’Rourke writes, after suggesting Chelsea could offer Valdes a deal in light of Thibaut Courtios’ long-term injury.

O’Rourke continues to suggest that “there are continued doubts over the Belgian being the long-term answer to Liverpool’s goalkeeping problems.”

“As a result both Liverpool and Chelsea are monitoring Valdes’ situation at United, with the Spaniard still out of favour at Old Trafford,” he concludes.

Valdes emerged as a key target for Brendan Rodgers last season, with the form of Mignolet under question.

Leaving La Liga giants Barcelona in 2014, Valdes looked to regain his fitness after suffering a serious ACL injury in March of the same year.

This injury led to a proposed move to Merseyside breaking down, as Alex Miller revealed for This is Anfield in October:

Sources close to the deal have suggested that one of the major complications to completing a deal was the fact that Valdes wanted assurances he would be the club’s number one goalkeeper.

Liverpool were simply not willing to give him that assurance, especially with the player not yet match-fit and also because the club had not been able to scrutinise the players medical files and test out the ACL injury he suffered back in March.

As a result, the club decided to walk away from the deal and concentrate on other targets.

Mignolet subsequently reinforced his status as Liverpool’s No. 1 goalkeeper with a series of strong displays in 2015.

But the Belgian’s position has come under question again this season, with lapses in concentration and poor distribution creeping back into his game—summer signing Adam Bogdan, who joined on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers, offers little in the way of competition.

With Valdes now having proven his fitness under Louis van Gaal at United, the 33-year-old finds himself frozen out of first-team contention after the Dutchman claimed he “refused to play” for the club’s under-21s side.

“He doesn’t follow my philosophy,” Van Gaal said in July. “There is no place for someone like that.”

Valdes is arguably a much better option than Mignolet, and therefore Rodgers would be wise to pursue a move if he becomes available.

Whether O’Rourke’s claims are substantial, however, remains to be seen.

• Read more: Simon Mignolet remains a concern that won’t go away for Liverpool

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Coutinho, Milner and Lucas all benefit from tweaked Liverpool midfield vs. Aston Villa

Tactical adjustments in midfield and resulting dominant display set the Reds on their way to victory on an afternoon of huge pressure at Anfield.

LIVERPOOL 3-2 ASTON VILLA

Daniel Sturridge will rightly receive the plaudits for his match-winning brace at Anfield, but the improved balance and display of the Reds’ midfield provided the catalyst for a much needed win.

Though continuing with the a three-man defence, the set-up deployed by Brendan Rodgers with his central midfield made for a wholly improved and controlled display on an afternoon that saw the Northern Irishman survive to fight another day.

The excellent Lucas Leiva was again deployed in his anchoring midfield role but the experienced Brazilian benefitted from the slightly withdrawn and wider stationed Philippe Coutinho, and the more advanced James Milner, who played alongside the 23-year-old to form a 1-2 set-up, as shown below.

Image via FourFourTwo Statszone

Instant Impact

The positional tweaks handed the Reds a much better shape – one that helped provide the return of cutting edge to an all too regularly blunt side.

Utilising Milner in tandem with Coutinho, rather than flat alongside the defensively focussed Lucas, proved an excellent move from the Liverpool boss, with the stand-in skipper able to share the onus of breaking Villa’s deep-lying defensive banks of nine to supply strike duo, Ings and Sturridge.

Having a supporting body working with the Brazil international gave the negative visitors an unexpected problem with a second offensive creator – rather than being able to concentrate simply on nullifying chief-creator, Coutinho, who has been struggling with the weight of carrying the burden, shown by some indifferent recent displays.

And the rewards for the attack-minded adjustment were instant, with Milner enjoying an immediate impact on the game – and far better influence on proceedings overall – as he found the net after just 66 seconds with a superb strike that ultimately came as a result of his more advanced positioning.

As the patient Moreno opted not to whip in a hopeful cross – instead intelligently recycling possession – the vice-captain was then found by a fantastic ball from Coutinho, slid between lines, just as he began to drift outwards and escape the attentions of the Villa backline.

The movement off the top line into space allowed for Milner to smash past Brad Guzan for his first goal for the club, after an excellent first touch as he back-peddled sat the ball up perfectly to unleash a crisp strike that raised a relieved Anfield to its feet.

Discipline & Dominance

But as Liverpool struggled to build on the positive start, the dynamic duo were both disciplined in their designated duties of tucking alongside Lucas when needing to defend, and Villa were limited in their ability to create a single meaningful chance as the pair pressed effectively when required.

In possession, having the Brazilian magician and Captain ahead and either side handed Lucas better options off the ball for him to play to.

With Ings and Sturridge operating alternately in offering themselves for a ball to feet too, making for plenty of forward movement, Liverpool’s intricate attacking play made an overdue comeback.

At the same time, the possibility of line-breaking running opened up, and Milner took advantage forcing his way in behind Villa’s left side numerous times, with both Nathaniel Clyne and Emre Can willingly supplying the energetic midfielder.

Being stationed advanced helped make penetrative running easier, rather than breaking from a flat midfield position with more ground to cover, and the dominant performance from Lucas also provided the stability for Milner to do so – with the ex-Man City man safe in the knowledge his Brazilian team-mate would hold ground.

These features contributed to Liverpool enjoying complete control of the game, bossing the midfield battle, and it was the advancement of Milner into an area usually filled by Coutinho that created the platform for Sturridge’s stunning first of the afternoon.

Return of Attacking Intent

Arriving into a position between numerous static Villains, Coutinho’s ball inside to the unmarked Miilner drew the attentions of the disjointed visitors defence.

Sturridge, in turn, took full advantage of the space and a free run afforded to volley home superbly from a perfectly weighted reverse lob over from the first goal-scorer in front of the joyous Kop.

The Reds looked confident thereafter as intensity increased, with Rodgers’ men visibly boosted by shaking off the lingering, unwanted stat of having not scored twice in a match since beating QPR 2-1 at Anfield in May of last season.

Milner’s energy, allowed for by the controlling Lucas, enabled for the ex-Villa man to apply relentless pressure to his former side who constantly panicked with the ball at the back, which the Reds benefitted from but couldn’t quite punish with Ings and Sturridge both squandering opportunities to increase the lead.

Though Rodgers’ side suffered a quick set-back from Rudy Gestede’s tap-in after a communication breakdown between Simon Mignolet and Mamadou Sakho, there was a persistent desire to remain on the front foot.

Some delightful, interchanging attacking play returned with the injection of confidence – all helped by central drive, creation and positional alterations.

It was displayed to perfect measure for what proved to be the match-winner, with a sublime one-two exchange between Coutinho and Sturridge allowing for the sharpening 25-year-old to slot home his second of the day like he had never been away.

Gestede replied again with a powerful header, before the Reds could, and should have added to their lead with only two excellent saves from Guzan preventing the score-line looking more handsome.

But despite Gestede’s efforts, three goals courtesy of Milner and Sturridge proved to be enough on an afternoon that a tactical midfield switch from Rodgers could well have kept him in the Anfield hot-seat.

Liverpool 3-2 Aston Villa

> 5 talking points
> Player ratings
> Rodgers’ reaction
> Fan Reaction
> Match Report
> Live blog

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Brendan Rodgers claims conspiracy against him after Liverpool edge out Villa

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers claimed there are external forces at work with an agenda against him but he refused to say who he thought was behind it or why.

Two goals from Daniel Sturridge and one from James Milner eased the pressure on Rodgers in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa, for whom Rudy Gestede scored twice.

Rodgers has seen his position come under increasing scrutiny after some poor performances but he thinks there is an active campaign being waged against him.

“I am pretty confident that there is a group of people that don’t want me here to be the manager,” he said.

“Sometimes we haven’t lost games and the hysteria around it is pretty clear that there is maybe something else going on from behind.

“I am talking about people outside of here (the club).

“In all competitions we have lost less games than Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

“We have lost two games, which is equivalent to Tottenham and Manchester United.

“The hysteria around ourselves is interesting to note. Myself and the players stay very calm and work very hard knowing we will get our rewards.

“We are very much together as a team and the supporters were fantastic today.

“As supporters and players we got the victory. We are five points off the top and still with a lot of progress to make.”

Rodgers’ comments suggest he is unhappy with his treatment in the media. Many former Liverpool players have been highly critical, although Rodgers would not offer any hint of who he was referring to.

Whatever his argument with outside influences, there is no doubt Liverpool have received a boost from the return of Sturridge, who scored his first goals since March after a hip operation.

“It is not rocket science. The last time we scored three goals was when he started against Tottenham (in February),” Rodgers added.

“If you want to compete at the top you need quality. Daniel has shown in his time he is a real top talent.

“I thought he was outstanding and I was disappointed he didn’t get a hat-trick.

“His overall game and touch were outstanding and he had a great combination with Danny Ings.

“That is the first time they have started and they showed that understanding that good players have.”

While Liverpool are only five points adrift of leaders Manchester United, Villa are stuck in the bottom three.

“If you score two at Anfield you expect to take something from the game but we didn’t do that,” said manager Tim Sherwood.

“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 and I am very privileged to have the chance to work with them but it comes with its ups and downs.”

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