Liverpool 'outstanding' in Sunderland win, hails Rodgers, as Reds close in on top four

Brendan Rodgers hailed Liverpool's performance in the 1-0 victory over Sunderland on Saturday as "outstanding".

Lazar Markovic's early goal was enough to earn the visitors a third win in four Premier League games.

The Reds, who wasted numerous chances to add to the scoreline, are now within four points of the Champions League places.

"I thought, overall, it was an outstanding team performance," said Rodgers. "We started the game well, the first half we had domination of the ball, we created chances and, when we had to defend, we defended well."

"My only disappointment was I thought we should have been two or three [nil] up [at half-time]. I thought we had a clear penalty we should have been given and we had one or two chances."

"But it is a difficult place to come and the conditions were difficult, and I thought the players were outstanding, both defensively and with the ball."

The only downside for Liverpool was Steven Gerrard's withdrawal at half-time through injury, but Rodgers is hopeful it will prove to be nothing serious.

"Steven will get a scan to see how he is," Rodgers said of the long-serving midfielder, who will leave Anfield for LA Galaxy next summer.

"He just felt a tightness in his hamstring, so we are not sure if he has pulled it or not. It was just precautionary."

"He was outstanding in the first half but we have to make sure we manage it right."