‘Remarkable’ Gerrard comes to Reds’ rescue

Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2

The Liverpool midfielder produced a real captain’s performance, scoring the winner from the penalty spot before a crucial goalline clearance denied relegation-threatened Aston Villa a point.

Liverpool had trailed at the break to Christian Benteke’s half volley before getting back into the match two minutes into the second half through Jordan Henderson before Gerrard won it on the hour after Luis Suarez had been fouled by Nathan Baker.

Gerrard’s all-round performance was best summed up by the incredible moment shortly afterwards when he denied Benteke an equaliser by somehow stopping the lethal Aston Villa striker’s bullet header.

No wonder manager Brendan Rodgers could not stop singing his praises afterwards, even if he did bat away one question asking what it was like working with his hero since taking the Anfield hot seat last summer.

“Steven doesn’t surprise me, he’s a remarkable man, look at his fitness level and running ability,” said Rodgers.

“He had to get an injection in his heel. He struggled to get his boot on recently with a heel injury but it was nothing major. Many other players might not have even trained.

“He’s a real inspirational man with a hunger and desire for Liverpool to do well.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him. I watched him from a far and wowed at what he did and now I can work with the man. As a manager to a captain he has been phenomenal. When I first was appointed at Liverpool he cut short his holiday to welcome me.

“But I wouldn’t say he was my hero before I arrived.

“He can play on to his late thirties like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes or Gary McAllister. They do the same as they did in the late teens and early twenties. Steven never has a lazy day, works his socks off and wants to improve. He’s England captain and still wants to get better. His enthusiasm makes him better.

“A new contract is definitely on the agenda.”

Rodgers added: “People talk about him being an inspirational captain but he’s taken on the role of on-field leader. When he cleared off the line he was marking the space. He showed professionalism and responsibility to the team.”

Villa remain in the bottom three on goal difference but gave it a good go in the first half and life may have been much different had they taken their chances and not made their usual defensive errors.

Gabby Agbonlahor thought he had given Villa the lead when his low shot from Matthew Lowton’s cross was kept out by Pepe Reina.

But Paul Lambert’s side went on to take a 31st-minute lead, Benteke continuing his impact on English football with an 18th goal of the campaign, smashing home after Agbonlahor had laid the ball off to him.

Gerrard fired a warning shot before the break which Brad Guzan brilliantly kept out from 25 yards but Liverpool started the second half brightly as Henderson converted from Philippe Coutinho’s delightful pass two minutes after the break.

Liverpool never looked back, with a moment of inexperience from Baker, where he lunged at Suarez who was no-where near the goal, proving to be decisive.

Gerrard coolly shattered Villa hopes with a powerful low spot kick and then came to his rescue just as Benteke was about to run off in celebration from Ashley Westwood’s corner.

Villa manager Paul Lambert refused to get too downbeat with three of his side’s next four games away at Stoke next week, and home clashes with Fulham and Sunderland very winnable on this evidence.

“There’s still going to be many twists and turns but we are playing well,” he said. “The belief is certainly there to win games but I’m not sure how many points we will need to stay up.

“You can’t blame any individual as it’s a team game. We need everyone together. I thought for 45 minutes we were excellent against a really good side.

“I was disappointed with the first goal two minutes after the restart. And then if you go to ground in the penalty area you are asking for trouble.”