Premier League: Steven Gerrard happy to help out at both ends for Liverpool

Premier League: Steven Gerrard happy to help out at both ends for Liverpool

Gerrard condemned relegation-threatened Villa to a 2-1 defeat with a 60th minute penalty which takes his goal tally to 11 against the Villans - more than he has managed against any other club.

The win moves Liverpool within three points of sixth-placed Merseyside rivals Everton, and five adrift of fifth-placed Arsenal.

Speaking after the win, Gerrard told Sky Sports: "I think we showed a lot of character, we had to raise it a little bit after half-time. We felt a little bit hard done by to be trailing, we thought we did enough in the first half to at least be level.

"After the manager spoke, we needed to go out and score as early as we can and that gave us the confidence and belief to go on and win the game."

Gerrard was forced into action at the other end of the pitch shortly after his penalty, reacting well on the post to keep out Christian Benteke's goal-bound effort with his head.

The England midfielder added: "One of my close friends has been giving me stick about my hair and actually said to me before the game that I might score the winner with my head today. The penalty was the winner but I think the header actually won us the game so he was right in the end."

Asked about Liverpool's aspirations for the rest of the season, Gerrard insists fifth spot is not out of the question, even though both Everton and Arsenal have games in hand over the Reds.

"(We want )To win every game. We want to finish as high as we can. If we can nick fifth or sixth that's what we want to try and do."