Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is already looking forward to this weekend's clash with Chelsea after victory over Aston Villa last night.

Liverpool got off to a winning start for the first time since 2002 thanks to the skipper's stunning 87th minute free-kick.

"It was a great win and it's nice to go into the Chelsea game with three points on the board," Gerrard told liverpoolfc.tv.

"Over the last few seasons we have been frustrated with the start we've made, we've lost silly points and have been playing catch-up. The idea this time is to come out of the blocks quickly and stay in the title race.

"We were pleased with the first 60 minutes, I thought we controlled the game. Villa came back into the game but we managed to pull it out of the bag late doors."

The Liverpool skipper also joked that he's now taking over free-kick duty at Anfield.

"It's about time the lads let me take one," he said. "I've been in the first team eight years now and they've never let me take them because they always go over.

"I managed to catch one right today, but the most important thing was three points."