Aston Villa 0-6 Liverpool: The verdict

After the unrest and crushing disappointment of recent weeks, it was all kisses and cuddles on Valentine's Day as Liverpool ruthlessly put Aston Villa to the sword.

No chocolates or flowers in sight, just a complete performance brimming with attacking quality. It represented the perfect peace offering to supporters left feeling short-changed by events both on and off the field of late.

This time the only walkout involved the long-suffering home fans who headed for their exits in their thousands midway through the second half, unable to take any more as Jurgen Klopp's side ran riot.

The ecstatic 3,000-strong travelling Kop didn't go anywhere as they stayed put to serenade those responsible for securing Liverpool's most emphatic Premier League triumph since they put six past Newcastle three years ago.

The course of true love never did run smooth but after such a turbulent spell there's good reason to believe that happier times lie ahead.

This was a sign of what Klopp's Liverpool can achieve when their top talent are fit and firing rather than stuck on the treatment table.

Of course context is important. Not every opponent will be quite as accommodating as Remi Garde's woeful Villa, who are destined for the Championship. 

The Midlands outfit are in a horrible mess but glaring defensive weaknesses still need to be punished and that's proved beyond the Reds far too often this term.

A lack of firepower has effectively wrecked hopes of securing a top-four finish but with a Wembley final on the horizon Liverpool now look like a very different proposition.

There was an outpouring of affection from the away end for Daniel Sturridge, who marked his first Premier League start since October with the opening goal before dusting off the trademark wiggly arms celebration.

How the Reds have missed not only his finishing touch but the manner in which he links play and occupies defenders.

So much between now and May hinges on his ability to stay fit. He's a bona fide match-winner and Klopp isn't blessed with too many of them.

The same goes for the outstanding Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian playmaker, recently back fit after a month out with a hamstring strain, tormented Villa throughout.

Fellow countryman Roberto Firmino also maintained his upturn in form as he flourished in a central role just behind Sturridge.

It was the first time that Sturridge, Coutinho and Firmino have all been named in the same XI and the potential with those three operating together is massive.

Having spent most of his Anfield tenure going into battle with a water pistol, Klopp now boasts somer serious weaponry.

Liverpool were relentless en route to their biggest ever win at Villa Park.

Not since the 9-0 rout of Crystal Palace in 1989 have six different Reds players netted in the same league game.

Leading 2-0 at the interval courtesy of Sturridge and James Milner's free-kick, Liverpool proceded to blow Villa away with four goals in the space of 13 second-half minutes.

Emre Can hammered home his first league goal of the season and then substitute Divock Origi, who was introduced ahead of Christian Benteke, took just 37 seconds to make an impact as he grabbed the fourth.

The young Belgian striker headed straight for the away end where he was the recipient of a smacker on the lips from a jubilant Kopite. 
Nathaniel Clyne opened his league account for the club before the Mills and Boon style finale.

Kolo Toure hadn't scored for Liverpool in 60 appearances dating back nearly three seasons but that long drought was ended when the veteran Ivorian nodded home Jordan Henderson's corner.

A delirious Toure didn't know what to do with himself and ended up collapsing to the turf before being mobbed by his teammates.

After a lifeless opening 15 minutes Liverpool clicked into gear and simply blew Villa away.

Coutinho provided a pin-point cross from the left and Sturridge took advantage of some horrendous marking to head past Mark Bunn.

It was Sturridge's first away goal in the Premier League since the 6-3 win at Cardiff in March 2014.

There was a hint of good fortune about the second as Milner's in-swinging free-kick evaded everyone and nestled in the far corner.

Liverpool have picked up more points against Villa than any other club in the Premier League era but they are unlikely to be back at Villa Park any time soon.

The mood around the stadium was funereal to start with before anger reigned with Villa's lack of spirit as startling as the absence of any semblance of real talent.

For a while the dominant Reds toyed with the hosts – unable to deliver the killer blows.

Henderson went close before Alberto Moreno just failed to tuck away Firmino's cross.

The recent form of young Brad Smith has sparked a debate about the left-back spot but this was a decent response from Moreno, who was much improved at both ends of the field.

Sturridge saw his strike pushed away by Bunn as Liverpool's grip on proceedings never loosened.

The second half was a procession. Can, often criticised for his lack of contribution in the final third, won back possession, collected a pass from Firmino and lashed it low beyond Bunn.

It was only the Germany international's third goal in 75 appearances for the Reds.

Origi came on for Sturridge and provided an instant reminder of his exciting potential as the £10million frontman coolly capitalised on Coutinho's defence-splitting pass.

After Clyne tucked away the fifth, Klopp handed a league debut to Kevin Stewart in place of Coutinho. It was reward for the young midfielder's display against West Ham in midweek.

Toure then took centre stage as salt was rubbed into Villa's gaping wounds.

This was a triumph to savour. The gloom has been lifted.

Reinforcements have provided fresh hope. Romance has been rekindled.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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