5 talking points from Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa

A week into the Premier League and here is what the table tells you – Liverpool FC are in second position with 2 wins from their opening 2 fixtures, 2 goals scored, 2 clean sheets and 6 points under their belt. Well the Kop must surely be delighted with the start their heroes have made.

Following their 1-0 victory against Stoke City, Liverpool now had to take on a determined Aston Villa side at Villa Park. The Reds got the job done with another 1-0 win. Here are the talking points from the game:-

1: Who needs Suarez when you’ve got Sturridge

The former Chelsea striker has 7 goals in 6 games in the absence of the suspended Suarez. Sturridge has clearly repaid his manager’s faith in him by scoring 2 match winning goals in 2 games this season. His finish today clearly showed his self-confidence and also his calmness and composure in front of goal. The England International also put in a defensive shift later in the second half when Villa threw the kitchen sink at Liverpool – at one point Sturridge was spotted making clearances from a right-back position.

2: Liverpool are in safe hands

Simon Mignolet, the summer signing from Sunderland has already helped Liverpool earn 4 points with his penalty save against Stoke and made a magnificent save today from a late Benteke effort. He might take time adjusting to Rodgers’s way of playing the ball from the back, but his shot stopping abilities are second to none.

3: Credit to the owners

Brendan Rodgers may have had a tough start last season, where he couldn’t buy himself a win, but the owners stuck with him and now are reaping the rewards. Liverpool are now playing with a neat passing style that has won them plenty of admirers. In the first half against Villa, they completed a total of 339 passes which was more than what 17 other teams in the Premier League did in the full 90 minutes this season.

4: Welcome back Lucas

The Brazilian was clearly missed last season and Rodgers never really had a settled central midfield. Today, Lucas was clearly back to his best today and was instrumental in Liverpool’s first half domination. He completed 54 of his 57 passes with an accuracy of 95%. He won all three of his tackles, won back possession four times and made two vital interceptions. He added the much needed steel and defensive solidity to the Liverpool midfield and complemented Steven Gerrard.

5: This maybe Liverpool’s year

Two wins in as many games, the last time Liverpool achieved such a start they came second in the league in 2008/09 and gave Manchester United a run for their money. With two one-nil victories already under their belt, they have given fans a renewed sense of optimism this season. With the club carrying out its transfer business without any noise and no Europa League distractions, fans may well and truly believe that their club can stake claim to a Champions League spot or maybe even go a step further and be genuine title contenders.