Liverpool had six different players on the scoresheet as they recorded their biggest victory at Aston Villa's ground since 1925
Long before the opening whistle went at Villa Park, the vibrant away section were expectant. With Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho all starting together for the first time, they knew Liverpool finally had an abundance of quality in the final third.
A lacklustre Aston Villa side were the perfect opposition to remedy a negative goal difference and a string of poor league results. In the glow of highly misleading sunshine, the visitors played some exhilarating football without ever needing to be at full tilt as their hosts were abysmal.
Liverpool love playing at Villa Park and on Valentine’s Day they treated their supporters to half a dozen goals. It could have been more. Six different scorers contributed the slaughter as the Reds recorded their biggest win at the ground since a 4-1 victory in January 1925. It wasn't just their attacking performance that was impressive, as they also managed to pick up their only league clean sheet of the year.
Sturridge, starting his first league game since October, headed in a sublime Coutinho delivery to open the scoring. James Milner’s free-kick evaded everyone to double Liverpool’s advantage and after the interval, Emre Can, Nathaniel Clyne, Divock Origi and Kolo Toure also found the back of the net.
It was easy to see why Remi Garde’s men are bottom of the league, they offered absolutely nothing in attack and were close to invisible on occasion at the back. As a result it would be unwise to read too much into Liverpool’s dominance in this encounter, but Jurgen Klopp will be encouraged that his side were able to punish Villa’s inadequacies with such authority.
Klopp had not previously had the opportunity to field his strongest side because of injuries, but the bulk of his best players were available on Sunday.
Liverpool showed an increased confidence and swagger with the number of match winners they had on the pitch. If Coutinho, Sturridge and Firmino can operate in tandem for the majority of the remaining games, the Reds will be a much more feared force.
Unfortunately, Villa cannot hinge their hopes on any such star quality. They rolled over in front of their home fans and it looks like they're absolute certainties to be relegated to the Championship.
- Goal