Liverpool rout Villa United almost
Liverpool continued their remarkable recent form with a 5-0 rout of Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday, which takes them to a point of weakness of Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Liverpool has scored 13 goals in their last three matches, beating Real Madrid 4-0 in Champions League, United 4-1 last weekend at Old Trafford, and now the final demolition of the fifth Villa.
Dirk Kuyt put forward in the eighth minute, as he reacted quickly to fire home with Albert Riera to score a superb second just after the half hour mark.
He locked on a clearance and Pepe Reina was a first time half volley.
Captain Steven Gerrard has made sure of victory with a hat trick, scoring penalties in the 39th and 65th minutes, with an objective of the 50th minute Un coup franc sandwiched between the two.
Riera participated in the first sentence, he was tripped in the area of Nigel Reo-Coker.
Gerrard put Liverpool up to four hours as he smashed the ball home after a short passage through the skillful Xabi Alonso.
Villa finished the match with 10 men after goalkeeper Brad Friedel has been sent to shoot on Fernando Torres, Gerrard converted the penalty for his third.
The England midfielder was delighted with his first Premier League hat-trick and the margin of victory.
"It was more than we expected," he told Sky Sports. "We opted for a 1-0 win today because Villa is a great side."
Gerrard said that his team follow their relentless pursuit of the Organization, which crashed to a second defeat at Fulham on Saturday.
"We'll keep piling the pressure on them because they go out knowing that we will be games for any error, it will be harder for them."
In contrast to Liverpool, Villa suffered a miserable run and stay three points behind Arsenal in the race for Champions League fourth place. Leaders Manchester United have 65 points from 29 games with Liverpool on 64 having played a game more but with a better goal difference.
Chelsea are on 61 from 30 games having missed a chance to close by the loss of Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Saturday.
In other games on the Premier League, Sunday, Manchester City continued their fine home with a 1-0 win over relegation strugglers Sunderland.
Robinho first half saw a penalty saved, but Micah Richards spared his blushes 50th minute with a goal.
Wigan is in the seventh with a 1-0 home win over Hull City, who lost in relegation trouble.
Ben Watson scored the winner with six minutes Wigan.
