Liverpool moved just one point behind league leaders Manchester United with a stunning display in their 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa on Sunday.

With United and Chelsea both losing on Saturday, Liverpool needed to win their game to take advantage of their rivals' slip up and the players responded brilliantly as the hosts took the lead in the 8th minute through Dirk KuytSteven Gerrard's flick on. after latching on to

After pulling off a couple of excellent saves to deny John Carew, Pepe Reina punted a long clearance that beat the Villa defense with Albert Riera volleying home the chance to double the lead.

The game was all but over in the 39th minute when Riera was fouled inside the area by Mark Noble and Gerrard made no mistake from the spot kick. Liverpool turned on the style in the second half with Gerrard grabbing a second five minutes after the break with a simple tap in from Xabi Alonso's free kick.

The Liverpool captain deservedly completed his hat trick in the 65th minute when Brad Friedel was sent off for fouling Fernando Torres in the area and Gerrard scored from his second penalty of the match to complete a comfortable win for his side.