Gerrard content after opening day victory

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard welcomed a winning start to the Premier League season after his late free-kick sealed a 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

The Reds grabbed a first-half lead after half an hour through a Martin Laursen own goal when the defender turned in Dirk Kuyt’s cut-back, but Villa levelled with a Gareth Barry penalty five minutes from time after Jamie Carragher handled in the box.

However, the visitors were not to be denied when Gerrard was fouled by Stiliyan Petrov 25 yards out and the England star curled in a stunning set-piece.

Gerrard admitted the focus in pre-season has been on making a strong start in order to keep up with expected early pace-setters Manchester United and Chelsea, who both play tomorrow.

He told Setanta Sports: “Over the last few seasons we have been frustrated with the start we’ve made, we’ve lost silly points and been playing catch-up, the idea this time is to come out of the blocks quickly and stay in the title race.

“We were pleased with the first 60 minutes, I thought we controlled the game. Villa came back into the game but we managed to pull it out of the bag late doors.”

Asked about his free-kick, Gerrard added: “It’s about time the lads let me take one, I managed to catch one right today, but the most important thing was three points.

“It was a great three points and nice to go into the Chelsea game with three points on the board.”

Villa were unhappy with the free-kick award, but Gerrard said: “These things happen and some decisions you get, some you don’t. I’m sure over season decisions will even themselves out.”

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was impressed by his side's character after conceding a late equaliser.

“The team deserved to win,” he told Setanta Sports.

“We were really good and for me there were two or three positive things but thanks to their ’keeper (Stuart Taylor) we couldn’t score.”

Talking about Villa’s penalty, the Spaniard added: “The ball was going to the hand but you could see a little bit of movement of Carra’s hand. After conceding the goal, to score ourselves tells me we are going forward.

“It was a fantastic goal (by Gerrard) and because the team deserved to win it was the right final (score) for us.”

Villa manager Martin O’Neill was unhappy at the free-kick award which led directly to Gerrard’s goal by referee Mike Riley.

“I just think (Gerrard) has overrun the ball and he has played for the free-kick. I don’t think it was a foul.

“(Petrov) has tried to get the ball himself, but it doesn’t matter what 42,000 people think, the referee has given a free-kick and he has scored from it, so it is disappointing as far as we were concerned.

“We started off wanting to be as bright as they are. But when they scored the goal we lost a wee bit of self-belief and we were chasing the game, so I was pleased to come in just a goal behind.

“In the second half we matched them but there was always the possibility of them hitting us on the break.”