Hodgson: Reds showing class

After witnessing Liverpool outclass Aston Villa 3-0 on Monday, Reds boss Roy Hodgson believes his side are finally finding their true form.

Liverpool endured a torrid start to the English Premier League season, winning just one of their first eight games and prompting speculation Hodgson could be headed out the door at Anfield.

But the Reds have responded in fine fashion, improving to eighth on the table on the back of their fourth straight league win on Monday.

Their latest win came despite the absence of injured duo Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, while Fernando Torres withdrew from the game to be with his wife during childbirth.

A jubilant Hodgson said Liverpool are only going to get better in the latter half of the season.

“I think we shot ourselves in the foot early doors and we’re still limping but the limp’s getting better,’ Hodgson told Sky Sports.

“We’re playing better every game and I think with the way the team was structured today, the shape of the team and the concentration was good throughout.”

“In the end it was a comfortable victory but comfortable victories have to be worked for as well.”

Hodgson also expressed his disappointment at the sacking of Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton.

“I’m sad for Chris Hughton, who I think is an excellent person, an excellent coach and a person who I think at Newcastle has done unbelievably well,” he said.

“But I’m also saddened for my profession that people who do a good job and work so hard get changed out.”

“I’m afraid that’s a world we live in, it’s a world where people are looking for sackings at every junction but I am very sad that Chris has suffered that fate today.”

Villa boss Gerard Houllier was given a rousing reception at his former club, which he led to six trophies between 1998 and 2004.

But he could find little else to be positive about following Villa’s third straight loss, which saw them drop to within two points of the relegation zone.

“We are concerned. The players and the staff have to take things in our hands,” Houllier told Sky Sports.

“We conceded a goal and then we conceded another goal which to me was offside, the second goal. I cannot fault the players for the effort, they tried hard.”

“When you concede a goal after 12, 13 minutes at Anfield it’s hard to come back. It’s a shame because I thought we could have done something here today.”