BRENDAN RODGERS hailed match-winner Steven Gerrard after the Liverpool skipper secured victory for his side against Aston Villa.

Gerrard’s nerveless penalty gave Rodgers’ side a valuable 2-1 win at Villa Park, and keeps alive their slim European qualification hopes.

Afterwards, the Reds boss waxed lyrical about the 32-year-old’s influence, revealing that he had received a pain-killing injection to cure a heel problem in the run up to the weekend’s game.

“Steven was outstanding,” Rodgers said. “He had to get an injection in his heel before the game, he couldn’t get his boot on.

“Many other players might not have played, but for him it was whatever it takes to play. That shows the mentality he has.

“He doesn’t surprise me. He’s a remarkable man. Look at his fitness level, his running ability. He’s been like that for the majority of the season.

“He’s a top, top player. His hunger and desire for Liverpool to succeed is incredible. I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“As a guy coming from the outside, having watched him all my life, and wowed at the remarkable player he is, to come inside and work with the player, and the man, it’s a huge pleasure.

“He’s an inspirational captain, but he has also taken on board that vocal side of things and being a leader on the pitch as well. He’s been a phenomenal player.

“Can he play on (into his late-30s)? Absolutely. No question. He’s a wonderful professional. He never has a lazy day. He’s 32 and he still wants to improve, still has that enthusiasm. He’s got many more years left yet.”

Rodgers confirmed that a new contract for his captain was “on the agenda”, whilst also paying tribute to Luis Suarez, who produced another virtuoso display despite a gruelling week of international travel.

“He’s a wonderful player,” he said. “He’s been away with Uruguay, and came back late on Thursday. He was training on Friday and I was looking at him. He just looked tired. His face, his body, he just looked totally shattered.

“But you look at him today, his energy, his willingness to work for the team, and just his sheer quality. His imagination in the game was incredible, and he frightens defenders, as you saw with the penalty.”

Rodgers added: “(Today) was about returning to the form and quality that we’ve shown in the last couple of months. I thought the players were brilliant today.

“In the first half, we played reasonably well. Maybe we could have taken a bit more of a risk at times, and we got punished by a long ball and a good finish.

“But I thought the players were outstanding in the second half. The mentality and the quality in their game was outstanding. We had a lot of shots today, and we were very good offensively. Once we got to 2-1, we could control the game.

“The players were magnificent, and it’s a great win for us.

“That’s three from four now, which is important.”