Brendan: Reasons to be excited for run-in

Lazar Markovic's ninth-minute conversion was enough to secure maximum points at the Stadium of Light this afternoon, where the Reds dictated proceedings against the 10-man Black Cats.

From the off, their passing and probing suggested that a ninth Barclays Premier League victory could lie ahead, and it did courtesy of the No.50's instincts inside the area early on.

Markovic also clattered the crossbar and Jordan Henderson, returning to his former employers, clipped the outside of a post as the visitors launched 21 shots at Costel Pantilimon's goal.

"I thought we were outstanding," said the boss after the final whistle in the north east. "In the first half, we had real control of the game, good tempo and pressed the ball very well.

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"We scored a very good goal and should have had a penalty, hit the crossbar and had one or two other chances. In the second half we again started well.

"Their sending-off probably threw us a little bit more than them for about 10 minutes. But once we regained the ball, started to move and get good positions on the field to pass it, we started to create chances again.

"When it's only 1-0, you're always tentative a little bit, but defensively I thought the players were excellent in their pressure and how strong they were. It's a difficult place to come but it was a very good result and performance.

"I always felt it would come, it was just going to be a matter of time. In the first part of the season it was difficult for us, but it was about getting the players into the team and also what we have been missing - we had Sturridge out and what we lost in the summer.

"It was always a case of trying to find the solutions in order to get us playing how we have been playing for the last 18 months to two years.

"In the last number of weeks, we have started to see that - the domination with the ball, the control, but also with tempo and pace in the team. Put alongside that a real willingness to defend then we're slowly getting back to where we want to be.

"We've still got a way to go, but the exciting thing is that in my two years here we've always been better in the second part of the season, that's the business end.

"We've still got Sturridge, Sterling, Lallana and Johnson, all these guys, to come back into the squad. It's going how I hoped it would and hopefully we can continue with this momentum."

Markovic capitalised on hesitancy in the Black Cats' backline to notch his first Premier League goal and his second overall since switching to Liverpool last summer.

Rodgers has been encouraged by the winger's improvement during recent months - and that of his pre-season recruits in general as they settle into a new style and increased demands.

The Northern Irishman commented on Markovic: "He has been very, very good for the last six or seven weeks or so; it has just taken time.

"Look at Emre Can today, young Lazar, Alberto Moreno and the other players. It has just taken them time - they have come to a new country and there's a big spotlight on them because of what we did last year.

"It has been difficult for the team, but they are starting to settle into the philosophy of how we work and how we play.

"[Markovic] was fantastic - not just with the ball in his goal and the one that hit the crossbar, but his ability to press people and defend, which is important for us. He is only 20 years of age, so there's a big future for him."

With Steven Gerrard withdrawn at the interval as a precaution, Henderson wore the captain's armband in the second half at the stadium where he once plied his trade.

Local journalists were naturally keen to quiz Rodgers on the player who departed Sunderland for Anfield in 2011 and has since risen to become the club's vice-captain.

"I've obviously put him as the vice-captain of the club," added the manager. "He has really grown, not just as a footballer but as a young man - I've seen it over the last couple of years.

"You saw his quality today, his leadership, his running ability and his power. He's a fantastic young man. That was the reason for giving [the vice-captaincy], so that if there are times when Steven isn't on the field, he is a real leader for us.

"He is developing really well and there's no question that he can go on and become the captain at the club."