Liverpool probably went to Villa Park with a minor concern over the recent improved form of Aston Villa, but, within a few minutes, it was clear Liverpool were going to run riot in the Midlands.

From Sturridge's early goal, the Reds were all over Remi Garde's side and the scoreline could have easily reached double figures if Firmino and Sturridge had remained on the pitch. Aston Villa have not recovered from losing three of their key players last summer and the embarrassment at the hands of a pretty ordinary Liverpool side only adds to the struggles at the club and further confirmed their impending relegation.

The fact that the positive event of the day for Villa fans was the return of Alan Hutton just about sums up their plight.

Liverpool played well, but to get so decimated against a mid-table side shows just how far away Villa are from even putting up a fight in the relegation scrap.

Here are FIVE things we learned from today's clash..

Sturridge must be protected

Sturridge made his first start in a rather long time in this fixture and Liverpool were treated to an early goal from their star striker.

Whilst Christian Benteke can hardly get minutes on the pitch, Sturridge's quality makes such a fundamental difference to the team that Klopp must nurture his key number 9.

League 1 beckons..

For all your wage cuts, big money sales and supposedly good signings, Randy Lerner is now faced with a club who could easily enter into freefall and go the way of Leeds United.

Relegation has been a threat to Villa for several seasons and the dreaded double drop should not be written off whilst Lerner is in charge.

Garde should have run while he could..

Garde, after no January transfer activity, should have resigned with immediate effect.

The manager, as his previous record shows, is clearly capable of making wonderful teams but he seems to have been misled with the support that he would get from the board at Villa and is now just leading a sinking ship.

A side with substandard players, no spirit and little support, its a sad state of affairs for a seemingly likeable man.

Magical triumvirate

For the first time, Liverpool fans were able to see Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge start a game together and they got a taste of the brilliant play that could follow.

The front three, with such fluid movement, quick feet and sharp shooting, will threaten any Premier League defence and the more minutes they play, the better chance Liverpool have of success in the future.

Lallana's days are numbered

Klopp immediately opted to start with Sturridge, Coutinho and Firmino and it is very hard to see how Lallana will manage to get many starts if the front three remain fit.

The former Southampton man might look for a move this summer if Klopp is to stick with his 4-3-3.