Sturridge: We sent fans home happy
Two-goal Daniel Sturridge was delighted to give Liverpool supporters at St James' Park an enjoyable journey back to Merseyside after the Reds demolished Newcastle 6-0 on Saturday.
The 23-year-old found the net twice in quick succession during the second half, while Jordan Henderson matched his exploits and Daniel Agger and Fabio Borini each bagged one.
After the victory, Sturridge revealed Brendan Rodgers had challenged his players to produce a performance for the fans, and was confident his teammates had achieved that aim.
"The manager emphasised for us to go out there and work as a team and to put on a performance for the fans; I'm sure they'll have a nice journey home. It was a good result for us," he told ESPN.
Sturridge was brought back into Rodgers' starting XI against the Magpies following the 10-match suspension handed to Luis Suarez earlier in the week.
"The manager has emphasised that we've got to be a team and stick together, and that's what we've done," the England international reflected.
"We've gone on the football field and worked as a unit. It was a difficult week but we've just come here to do our job - that's what we did today.
"I wouldn't say with Luis being out that I'm delighted - because obviously he's a great player and it's unfortunate that he's got a lengthy ban.
"But it's good for myself that I'm able to get some games, I didn't come to Liverpool to sit on the bench. For me, it's important to be playing and that's what I came here to do."
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Newcastle simply had no answer to Liverpool's attacking verve on Tyneside, and Jamie Carragher stressed how difficult trips to St James' Park can usually be.
The defender said: "We had to come to Newcastle, we know they're fighting for their lives and it's always going to be a really tough game - it normally is when we come here.
"It was one of those days for us and unfortunate for them. Newcastle are a great club and I don't think many people want to see them go down.
"We put in a top performance. This is a difficult place, even though they're not doing as well as they normally would - St James' Park is always a difficult place to come.
"It's a great result for us, Daniel has come in for the last few games - he changed the game last week against Chelsea, played up front and got two today."