Other stand-out performers included in-form new boys Simon Mignolet who produced more top class saves and Kolo Toure who kept the red hot Christian Benteke exceptionally quiet.
The Reds faced their first game on the road this season as a rapturous Villa Park reception greeted both sets of players as they emerged from the tunnel.
Fresh from a hard fought first up 1-0 victory in front of the Anfield faithful, Liverpool were faced with a real test in the prospect of an Aston Villa side who had knocked off Arsenal 3-1 at The Emirates last Saturday and were narrowly beaten by Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge midweek in a match where they deserved a point.
The Villa faithful were out in numbers as they were keen to shown their side how appreciative they were of the previous weeks results as well as hope to see another victory over a top Premiership side.
Brendan Rodgers made no changes to the starting side that faced the Potter’s last week and was quietly confident about notching up the team’s first away win of the 2013/14 campaign. Loan signing Aly Cissokho claimed a bench spot for the Reds in the hope of his first taste of top flight English football.
The opening minutes featured back and forth momentum from both sides as they both strived to settle into the match early. Both sides went looking for the ascendency early but weren’t able to construct any chances. This was until the 15th minute where Liverpool looked to grab some momentum as Philippe Coutinho floated the first strike of the match over the bar following Jose Enrique’s fine effort to fend off Leandro Bacuna on Liverpool's left edge.
Liverpool then became to dictate the game somewhat on their terms with greater possession and penetration. This culminated in the 21st minute when, for a second straight week, enter Daniel Sturridge. Jose Enrique found himself free on the left 30 yards from goal and 7 yards in from the sideline. He then decided to drill a ball along the ground towards the top of the box, just as Phillipe Coutinho looked as though he was going to control the ball he dummied the touch, allowing the ball to roll straight through to Sturridge, an absolute supreme piece of skill from Coutinho.
Sturridge then controlled the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box, he took a solid touch which allowed him to beat a Villa defender as well as round one at the same time. Just as Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan seemed destined to leap on the ball, Sturridge provided another touch, allowing him to round Guzan and place himself 3 and a half yards out and just to the right of goal.
A classy and composed finish then came courtesy of the outside of Sturridge’s left boot which saw the ball fly straight into the roof of the net leaving Villa’s goal-line defenders Antonia Luna and Jores Okore helpless. Sturridge sprinted off smiling as he had done it once again for the Reds, a vital opening goal. He was met first by Captain Steven Gerrard and then was swamped by the team, all of whom except Simon Mignolet who was punching the air and leaping for joy back in the Liverpool goal. Liverpool 1 – 0 Aston Villa.
The goal was well deserved for Liverpool as they had remained just that little bit more patient then their opponents, spreading the ball to all areas of the pitch in a search for goal rather than attempting a high paced direct route through the middle.
The visitors were also sneakily shifting their formation from time to time, sometimes leaving Sturridge or Aspas alone up front and other times fluctuating to a front three featuring Coutinho.
Antonio Luna soon found himself behing the Reds defence on the half hour mark as the Villans looked to expand their play, however Benteke failed to negotiate the cross.
Villa’s powerful Belgian striker did better just before the close of the half when he evaded Kolo Toure and produced a powerful shot on the turn, however a tremendous save from National team mate and Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet denied him a fourth goal in three games. This piece of play almost seemed to spark Villa as they had a flurry of corners to end the half, however failed to capitalize. 1-0 to Liverpool at half time.
No changes as the teams came back out for the second half, Liverpool looked comfortable for the most part however Villa were not without genuine chances to net an equaliser.
The second half started much like the first before Aston Villa looked to lift the tempo, a positive sign to which the home fans responded with a series of chants in an attempt to ignite the team further. Ashley Westwood had two efforts for Villa however both sailed over the crossbar rather convincingly.
The home sides attacking raids began to come more frequently after the hour mark as Liverpool looked to settle and retain their lead rather than look to extend it and risk an equaliser on the counter.
The home side made substitutions as El Ahmadi came on for Lowton in the 65th minute followed by Tonev’s inclusion for Weimann in the 73rd. Inbetween these two changes however, came Cissokho’s inclusion for Aspas in the 69th minute for Liverpool, the Frenchman keen to get on for his debut and help his new teammates retain their slender lead.
Villa continued to press as Agbonlahor had an absolutely golden chance from 13 yards after an attempted headed clearance from Toure fell to him. However lucky for Reds players and supporters, he managed to fire wide. Mignolet then made another solid save after Aleksandar Tonev did his best with a tricky chance for the Villans.
Both teams made changes at a stoppage in the 83rd minute, Liverpool making another defensive minded alteration as Allen made his first appearance of the season replacing Coutinho whilst Helenius came on at the expense of Westwood for the home side.
Aston Villa had arguably the best opportunity of the match on 88 minutes as Christian Benteke found himself running free into the Liverpool box after a nice flick on from late substitute Nicklas Helenius. However, Benteke’s commanding strike on the half volley produced another astonishing save from a diving Mignolet to send the ball wide.
Liverpool’s new keeper is quickly becoming a fan favourite if he isn’t already and is starting to develop a convenient little knack of rescuing Liverpool from having to settle for a point in the dying stages of the game.
The final whistle came after four minutes of stoppage time to hand the Reds their best start to a campaign in five years and leaving them unbeaten in their last ten Premier League fixtures.
Another strong performance from a team who is without their most influential player from last season for another four games, if the results keep continuing to be positive though the fans won’t mind much. Add onto this the fact that Daniel Sturridge has scored eight goals in his last seven Premiership games. Liverpool players, staff and fans can have confidence going forward; although Suarez’s presence back on the field will only help the team’s efforts.
It remains to be seen whether Brendan Rogers will look to add to the squad throughout the last week of the transfer window. Apparently the Reds were in for Brazilian attacker Willian who was then going to Spurs and now seems set to be unveiled at Chelsea. Speculation continues around Ajax playmaker Christian Eriksen while the Reds have again been linked with Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori in the wake of a potential season ending injury to Sebastian Coates.
Another fantastic result for the Reds though, another three points means six from two games and excitement and optimism is buzzing around the red half of Merseyside after two weeks of the season. Next up is a visit from the champions, Manchester United in a match which promises to be a legitimate test of Liverpool’s top four credentials this season.
However for now, the Reds are joint top of the table and can keep smiling for another week.
Follow Lewis on Twitter @lewisricho11
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