Brendan Rodgers' suggestion Liverpool could finish second on Friday could not have been timed worse after the Reds were beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa in Saturday's outstanding Premier League result. The gap between Liverpool, in 14th, and Manchester City (second) is now 14 points.
City remain six points behind Manchester United after a casual 3-1 win against Sunderland. City defeated Newcastle by the same scoreline in the lunchtime kick-off.
Elsewhere, Norwich shot up to seventh with a 2-1 win over Wigan, QPR got a first win of the season at home to Fulham courtesy of some Adel Taarabt brilliance and Stoke and Everton drew 1-1 at the Britannia Stadium.
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Aston Villa's Belgian forward Christian Benteke celebrates scoring his second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on December 15, 2012. Aston Villa shocked Liverpool by handing them a 3-1 defeat. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool v Aston Villa - Premier League
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Christian Benteke of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the first goal with team mate Barry Bannan during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 15, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Liverpool v Aston Villa - Premier League
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Christian Benteke of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the first of his two goals during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 15, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Stoke City v Everton - Premier League
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Geoff Cameron of Stoke City (C) in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at the Britannia Stadium on December 15, 2012, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-ASTON VILLA
Liverpool's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (C) is sandwiched between Aston Villa's US goalkeeper Brad Guzan (L) and Aston Villa's English defender Matthew Lowton (R) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-ASTON VILLA
Liverpool fans hold up scarves in the stands including one banner calling for 'Justice for the 96', referring to the 96 people who died during the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on December 15, 2012. The British High Court is set on December 19, 2012 to hear an application to have the verdicts quashed from the 1991 inquests into the Hillsborough disaster following publication of new evidence by the Hillsborough Independent Panel report in September. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: David De Gea of Manchester United celebrates his teams second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-ASTON VILLA
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on December 15, 2012. Aston Villa shocked Liverpool by beating them 3-1. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa's Belgian forward Christian Benteke (L) scores his second goal past Liverpool's Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina (R) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa's English defender Matthew Lowton (L) challenges Liverpool's English midfielder Raheem Sterling (R) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa's Belgian forward Christian Benteke celebrates scoring his second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on December 15, 2012. Aston Villa shocked Liverpool by handing them a 3-1 defeat. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Stoke City v Everton - Premier League
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Jonathan Walters (C) and Ryan Shawcross (floor) of Stoke City in action with Phil Jagielka and Marouane Fellaini of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at the Britannia Stadium on December 15, 2012, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)
Stoke City v Everton - Premier League
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City is helped up off the ground by team mate Robert Huth during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at the Britannia Stadium on December 15, 2012, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)
Liverpool v Aston Villa - Premier League
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Andreas Weimann of Aston Villa attempts to run round Pepe Reina of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 15, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-NORWICH-WIGAN
Wigan Athletic's Scottish midfielder Shaun Maloney (C) celebrates scoring with Wigan Athletic's Scottish midfielder James McArthur (R) during the English Premier League football match between Norwich City and Wigan Athletic at Carrow Road stadium in Norwich, England on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/OLLY GREENWOOD RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read OLLY GREENWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-NORWICH-WIGAN
Norwich City's Irish midfielder Wes Hoolahan (C) scores during the English Premier League football match between Norwich City and Wigan Athletic at Carrow Road stadium in Norwich, England on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/OLLY GREENWOOD RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read OLLY GREENWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool v Aston Villa - Premier League
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Eric Lichaj of Aston Villa appeals to the linesman after a challenge by Glen Johnson of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 15, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Phil Jones of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Liverpool v Aston Villa - Premier League
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Luis Suarez of Liverpool argues a point with Referee Mr N Swarbrick during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 15, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Stoke City v Everton - Premier League
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Manager David Moyes (L) of Everton speaks to his player Steven Pienaar (C) as he celebrates his goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at the Britannia Stadium on December 15, 2012, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-NORWICH-WIGAN
Norwich City's English goalkeeper Mark Bunn (L) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Norwich City and Wigan Athletic at Carrow Road stadium in Norwich, England on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/OLLY GREENWOOD RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read OLLY GREENWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-QPR-FULHAM
Fulham's English midfielder Steve Sidwell (C) vies with Queens Park Rangers' English defender Clint Hill (2L) during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road in London on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool v Aston Villa - Premier League
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Christian Benteke of Aston Villa watches his shot go wide past Daniel Agger and keeper Pepe Reina of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 15, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-QPR-FULHAM
Queens Park Rangers' English defender Clint Hill (R) celebrates on the final whistle with New Zealand defender Ryan Nelson during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road in London on December 15, 2012. Queens Park Rangers ended their long wait for victory at the 17th attempt, winning 2-1 at home to Fulham to climb off the foot of the table at the expense of Reading. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-QPR-FULHAM
Queens Park Rangers' English defender Clint Hill (R) celebrates on the final whistle with New Zealand defender Ryan Nelson during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road in London on December 15, 2012. Queens Park Rangers ended their long wait for victory at the 17th attempt, winning 2-1 at home to Fulham to climb off the foot of the table at the expense of Reading. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-QPR-FULHAM
Queens Park Rangers' Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt (C) celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road in London on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-QPR-FULHAM
Queens Park Rangers' New Zealand defender Ryan Nelson (top) vies with Fulham's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov (bottom) during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road in London on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND
Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on December 15, 2012. Manchester United re-established their six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League by sweeping Sunderland aside 3-1 at Old Trafford. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Steven Fletcher of Sunderland battles with Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United comes on for Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: A Robin is seen during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Queens Park Rangers v Fulham - Premier League
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Clint Hill (R) of Queens Park Rangers celebrates victory with team mates after the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road on December 15, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Queens Park Rangers v Fulham - Premier League
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: QPR assistant manager Kevin Bond (R) celebrates victory with manager Harry Redknapp and Shaun Wright-Phillips (L) after the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road on December 15, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Fraizer Campbell of Sunderland scores during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United is congratulated by Tom Cleverley of Manchester United after he scored the third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Queens Park Rangers v Fulham - Premier League
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Adel Taarabt of Queens Park Rangers celebrates scoring his second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road on December 15, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Queens Park Rangers v Fulham - Premier League
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: QPR assistant manager Kevin Bond (R) celebrates victory with manager Harry Redknapp and Shaun Wright-Phillips (L) after the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road on December 15, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Connor Wickham of Sunderland is challenged by Paul Scholes of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United is congratulated by team mates after he scored the third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United is congratulated by team mates after he scored the third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Stoke City v Everton - Premier League
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Steven N'Zonzi of Stoke City in action with Steven Pienaar (C) of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at the Britannia Stadium on December 15, 2012, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)
Liverpool v Aston Villa - Premier League
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Andreas Weimann of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 15, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Stoke City v Everton - Premier League
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Tim Howard of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at the Britannia Stadium on December 15, 2012, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa's Austrian forward Andreas Weimann (C) celebrates scoring with Aston Villa's Australian striker Brett Holman (R) and Aston Villa's Belgian striker Christian Benteke (L) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-QPR-FULHAM
Queens Park Rangers' Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt celebrates scoring during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road in London on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-QPR-FULHAM
Queens Park Rangers' Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt celebrates scoring during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Fulham at Loftus Road in London on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Stoke City v Everton - Premier League
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Andy Wilkinson of Stoke City in action with Steven Pienaar (R) of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at the Britannia Stadium on December 15, 2012, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)
Stoke City v Everton - Premier League
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Kenwyne Jones (L) of Stoke City in action with Sylvain Distin of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at the Britannia Stadium on December 15, 2012, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND
Manchester United's Dutch forward Robin van Persie controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on December 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Robin van Persie of Manchester United celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on December 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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The Huffington Post UK | Posted: 16/12/2012 11:50 GMT | Updated: 16/12/2012 11:50 GMT