JOHN BARNES received a chorus of approval after his spectacular late goal clinched Liverpool's 2-1 victory.

His striking partner lan Rush said: "We needed something special to win the game and that's what it was."

And Aston Villa's new manager Jozef Venglos said: "Barnes' goal was one for any student of football to study."

Throughout the titanic clash Barnes had to suffer jeers of "England reject" - a legacy of his low-key World Cup. But the brilliant winger responded with a scintillating display and a goal which must have been a sickening blow for Venglos, who had seen his side hang on despite relentless pressure.

Villa had hit back after Peter Beardsley's brilliant 14th minute opener. And, though under the cosh for most of the second half, it seemed they would hold out for a moral-boosting draw.

But Barnes had other ideas. His searing pace took him on a diagonal run from the left and he unleashed a right-foot drive which screamed in off helpless Nigel Spink's bar.

Villa's jet-heeled Tony Daley gave them an early glimpse of potential glory with a 40-yard run in the fifth minute which took him past four players. His progress was checked by Gary Gillespie's illegal intervention and from the free-kick Stuart Gray hit a 25-yard curling shot which Bruce Grobbelaar saved at full stretch.

But Liverpool's Ray Houghton-inspired midfield started to wrest control and Beardsley struck a stunning goal. Then David Platt rose to head past Grobbelaar and the stage was set for a thriller. The teams didn't disappoint.