Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers applauded the performance of his team after their home victory over Sunderland.

The Reds made it back-to-back Premier League wins with a 3-0 triumph at Anfield to move up to eighth.

Two goals from Luis Suarez and a strike from teenage attacker Raheem Sterling secured the points and pleased Rodgers:

"You've got to give massive credit to the players," Rodgers told Sky Sports.

"They were magnificent. Looking at the tiredness of some of the teams right now, our intensity and pressure was marvellous.

“We played some terrific football against a Sunderland side under Martin O'Neill that have been very difficult to beat."

Sterling opened the scoring after 19 minutes, latching onto a through ball from Suarez to lob Simon Mignolet.

The Uruguayan doubled the lead just five minutes later, holding off Carlos Cuellar before steering the ball into the net.

Suarez then completed the scoring after 50 minutes as he controlled a long-range pass from Steven Gerrard before sliding the ball home.

New signing Daniel Sturridge watched from the stands after completing his £12m move from Chelsea earlier in the day.

He was unable to feature against the Black Cats, but is in line to make his debut during Liverpool’s FA Cup clash with Mansfield on Sunday.