Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure vowed to defy his critics after helping the champions to victory at Aston Villa.
Toure broke the deadlock with a crucial strike eight minutes from time, with Sergio Aguero then also notching in a 2-0 win in the Premier League.
The Ivorian’s long-range effort at Villa Park provided a timely reminder of his talents after a difficult start to the season in which his performances have been criticised.
“I think it was amazing,” the 31-year-old said of his decisive goal. “If it was not me it would have been Aguero or ( David) Silva.
“The most important thing is for me to do my best. I’m keeping going: I play for a top side in Europe. And I’ll just do my best to win things again this season.
“It’s not so easy because you have to play every three days. I’m not a machine – I’m a man. But it’s important to keep things going.
“I have great team-mates around me, and the most important thing is to do my best.”
At Anfield, Brendan Rodgers admitted the win was all that mattered as his side squeezed past West Brom 2-1 to register a much-needed first victory in four league matches.
Having gone ahead through Adam Lallana’s maiden goal for the club on the stroke of half-time, a disputed Saido Berahino penalty pegged the Reds back. However, Jordan Henderson’s goal on the hour secured three points.
Rodgers said: “As we work more together the quality of our game will improve and the performance will improve but you have to find a way to win and today we did that.
“It was vital for us before the international break.”
