Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for striker Daniel Sturridge after the Reds battled past Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
With Manchester City dropping points at White Hart Lane, Liverpool took full advantage as they moved closer to the top of the Premier League, much to the delight of the Northern Irishman.
"It was a really a good performance in terms of the creativity and effort the players put into the game," Rodgers told reporters.
"I thought they were absolutely outstanding. It was a really good win for us.
"The last time we scored three goals was when [Sturridge] started the game against Tottenham here.
"If you're going to compete at the top of the table, you need to have big quality and we have got some very good players here.
"But Daniel Sturridge has shown over his time here that he is a really top talent. And when you miss that type of quality out of your team, you can suffer for it.
"I thought he was outstanding today. He is probably disappointed he didn't have a hat-trick, but his overall game and touch and two finishes were outstanding.
"And he showed a great combination with young Danny Ings, who obviously didn't get a goal today but I thought he played his part up top with Daniel.
"They showed that understanding that good players do. Both can run in behind, both can come short and they pressed the game well. It was very good."
