Brendan Rodgers blasts WITCH HUNT trying force him out of Liverpool

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Liverpool defeated Aston Villa 3-2 in the Premier League on Saturday
Under pressure Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has hit back at critics
Daniel Sturridge returned from injury to get his side back to winning ways
Jurgen Klopp will only take Liverpool job if transfer committee is scrapped

By Dominic King for The Mail on Sunday

Published: 17:12 EST, 26 September 2015 | Updated: 08:01 EST, 27 September 2015

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Brendan Rodgers has hit back at the witch-hunt he claims is trying to force him out of Anfield.

The angry Liverpool boss, under growing pressure following a poor start to the season, claimed there’s a sinister campaign being waged against him.

Some of that pressure was eased as Daniel Sturridge inspired a win against Aston Villa, Liverpool’s first win in the Premier League since August 17. But Rodgers said: ‘The hysteria around ourselves is interesting to note.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has hit back at critics who claim his days at Anfield are numbered

Liverpool boss is not surprised that his side have returned to winning ways after the return of Daniel Sturridge

The England international scored a brace as the Reds defeated Aston Villa 3-2 on Saturday

‘Sometimes we haven’t lost games and the hysteria around it is pretty clear. There is maybe something else going on from behind. I am talking about people outside of here. I never worried about the players. They have been absolutely brilliant. Myself and the players stay very calm and work very hard.’

Criticism of Rodgers hit a new level last week when Liverpool needed penalties to see off League Two strugglers Carlisle in the Capital One Cup. That came on the back of a run of five successive matches without a win and sparked mounting speculation that he was about to get the axe.

Yet he is adamant that with Sturridge, who scored twice against Villa, back to full fitness, Liverpool will start storming up the table. ‘It’s not rocket science,’ he said. ‘The last time we scored three goals was when he started against Tottenham in February. If you want to compete at the top you need quality. Daniel has shown in his time he is a real top talent.’

Wayne Rooney scored as Manchester United defeated Sunderland 3-0 to move top of the Premier League

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini saw his side suffer a surprise 4-1 loss to Tottenham

Liverpool now find themselves just five points behind new Premier League leaders Manchester United.

United leapfrogged Manchester City at the top with a 3-0 win against Sunderland and Louis van Gaal beamed: ‘It’s a nice feeling to be top. It’s the first time it has happened in my time here so I’m happy.’

City were knocked off the top after crashing 4-1 at Tottenham, their second league defeat in a row. And champions Chelsea are a lowly 15th after being held to a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.