Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick as Liverpool stormed to a 5-0 win over out-of-form Aston Villa to move up to second and within a point of leaders Manchester United.
The Reds skipper was involved from the off as he whipped in a dangerous free-kick which found Xabi Alonso. His flicked header came back off the bar and Dirk Kuyt was on hand to drill home the opener after eight minutes.
Albert Riera made it two when he raced on to a long kick from goalkeeper Pepe Reina 25 minutes later and Gerrard claimed his first of the day when he converted a penalty on 39 minutes after Nigel Reo-Coker had felled Riera.
The hosts began the second half like they ended the first with Gerrard grabbing his second five minutes after the break when he placed a free-kick from just outside the box past Brad Friedel.
The scoring was completed when Gerrard converted his second penalty of the day on 65 minutes after Friedel had been sent-off for bringing down Fernando Torres in the box.
Liverpool had Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa back from respective ankle and hamstring injuries that ruled them out of last weekend's win at Manchester United, with Sami Hyypia and Lucas relegated to the bench.
They were joined there by defender Daniel Agger, who has only played one game since mid-December after a variety of injury problems.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill left out striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has scored only twice since before Christmas and was booed by his club's own fans last weekend.
Defender Zat Knight was also on the bench, with John Carew and Curtis Davies back in the side.
Highlight:
Liverpool v Aston Villa
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