Two goals from Luis Suarez, one in each half, completed a dominant display by Liverpool who took an early lead through Raheem Sterling and never looked back.

"You have to give massive credit to the players. The effort that they put into the game tonight, as well as the quality, was phenomenal," Rodgers said.

"The fourth game - you look throughout the country and there are a lot of tired players and performers having to play four games in such a short period.

"You look at the intensity and the condition of the players tonight and what they put into the game. You combine that with the quality... it was fantastic."

Rodgers was also generous in victory, praising their visitors, who were well beaten.

"You have to give credit to Sunderland. They came here as a good side; they've had some good results recently and under Martin (O'Neill) they're very competitive and tough to beat," he said.

"But I thought our superiority in our game was very good and I'm very pleased."

Rodgers is also looking forward to working with new recruit Daniel Sturridge, who has joined the clu from Chelsea for 12 million pounds.

"He is a player that I've known since he was about 12 years of age and seen him come through at various clubs and he made his name at Manchester City," Rodgers recalled.

"He was one of the top young strikers in European football. It's difficult when you make a move as a young player because what he is, is a goalscorer.

"The only lengthy spell that he has had in a team was at Bolton Wanderers. When he's played games, he's scored goals.

"He gives us that presence and mobility at the top end of the field and I think the biggest thing again is hunger.

"We're bringing in a player who knows he has to perform if he wants to be at one of the biggest clubs in the world. This is probably his last chance.

"I've got every faith that, over his time here, he'll prove to be a real hit and he gives us another attacking threat at the top end of the field."

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill looked on as his weary side were opened up by Liverpool's incisive play as the game wore on.

After a hectic festive period, including four games in 12 games, O'Neill revealed his squad simply didn't have the depth and collective stamina to turn the match around.

"Liverpool were too strong for us and deserved to win the game," O'Neill said.

"It looked as though we ran out of steam out there tonight.

"We started off very brightly indeed and had Liverpool on the back-foot, but once they got their goal they opened us up and exploited us.

"Perhaps it was a case of a bridge too far, we've played four games in 12 days and we've got one of the smallest squads in the Barclays Premier League.

"We've had some big games as of late and maybe in terms of recovery we just haven't got that ability to switch things around as we would like to."