Rodgers: We were outstanding

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praised Stewart Downing after he scored the winner against Anzhi Makhachkala.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for his players following the 1-0 victory over Anzhi Makhachkala.

Stewart Downing smashed home the winner in the 53rd minute at Anfield with an unstoppable right-foot shot after cutting in from the left flank.

Rodgers, whose team now top Europa League Group A, said: "Great credit to the players. Anzhi are a very good side with some outstanding players. Tonight was an excellent performance.

"I thought the players were terrific, they took control of the game, and then when they had to dig deep towards the end they put their bodies on the line and got their blocks in and they were outstanding.

"It's three clean sheets in a row which is important for us and we're now adding that bit of steel and concentration to some of the footballing elements that we're working on.

"It was a good win and we can now recover and look forward to the weekend."

On Downing, Rodgers added: "It was brilliant goal. He's had a rough ride here really, it's been difficult time for him, but he got a great round of applause from the Kop and if you can get that from the Kop then it'll give you a massive lift going forward.

"He's a good guy, he's working very hard and he's a very important member of our team."