'Comeback showed our progress'
John Aldridge believes the battling qualities Liverpool displayed in their comeback against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday demonstrated the progress being made under Brendan Rodgers this season.
The Reds recovered from a 2-1 deficit at Anfield to record a 3-2 victory over Spurs and move up to sixth place in the Barclays Premier League table.
Aldridge feels Liverpool weren't at their free-flowing best against the Londoners, but took great satisfaction from the manner in which they secured the three points.
He wrote in his column in the Liverpool Echo: "Liverpool weren't at their best against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday but that made the victory all the sweeter. What pleased me the most was that we dug deep and ground it out.
"We got a bit of luck with the second and third goals as Spurs' defending was horrendous but we still had to be good enough to take those chances.
"Winning without playing particularly well is the sign of a good side and we haven't done that enough in recent years. In fact too often we've played well and not won so Sunday was a welcome change.
"How many times this season have Manchester United won without being at their best? It's about mental resilience and it was great to see Liverpool pick up three points in that kind of manner."
Liverpool broke the deadlock against Tottenham through Luis Suarez, with his goal also extending his advantage at the top of the Barclays Premier League's leading scorers table.
The Uruguayan came up against a man thought to be one of his main rivals for the Player of the Season accolades in Gareth Bale - and Aldridge believes our No.7 was the more impressive performer on Sunday.
"Gareth Bale showed his brilliance in patches," said the Kop legend. "He is such a great player to have in your side but in his duel with Luis Suarez there was only one winner.
"Suarez continued his stunning form, scoring the first and winning the penalty which enabled Steven Gerrard to win it from the spot.
"The manner in which we broke the deadlock was outstanding. There's a good understanding developing between Jose Enrique and Philippe Coutinho down the left.
"It was a lovely move and the finish was executed brilliantly by Suarez. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with it and that puts him three clear of Robin van Persie in the race for the Golden Boot."
Aldridge also had words of praise for Stewart Downing, who capped a fine individual display by netting Liverpool's equaliser on the afternoon.
"Its's great to see Stewart Downing coming good for Liverpool," he said. "The goals are starting to flow and he's showing more belief in himself.
"Downing is providing good balance to the team on the right and he's playing with enthusiasm and confidence.
"What impressed me against Tottenham wasn't just the way he took the game to them when he had the ball but the way he tracked back when we didn't have it.
"I think that time at left-back earlier in the season has helped him in a defensive capacity. He's doing a really good job in front of Glen Johnson."
The victory over Spurs was the first time this season Liverpool have beaten a side in the top six.
Aldridge feels it will provide a timely boost in confidence as the Reds prepare for their final nine games of the campaign and try to secure European qualification.
"To finally beat one of the top sides should be a big psychological boost for Rodgers and his players," he predicted. "We're in the top six now and we've got nine cup finals left to play.
"We have to keep on winning and see where it takes us. Rodgers is right to look no further ahead than Southampton on Saturday.
"We're still relying on teams above us slipping up but we've got a favourable run-in with both Everton and Chelsea still to come to Anfield and momentum is growing."