A rare Stewart Downing goal secured Liverpool a Europa League victory over Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala and lifted them to the top of Group A.<br />Downing cut in from the left after the break and drilled a powerful angled drive past keeper Vladimir Gabulov.<br />Daniel Agger saw his cheeky attempt to score ruled out after he headed the ball out of the keeper's hand.<br />The expensively assembled Russians disappointed, with Samuel Eto'o's easily saved drive their best chance.<br />Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had probably expected a tougher test from the team funded by billionaire Suleyman Kerimov.<br />The Russians are among the biggest wage-payers in football, with Cameroon international Eto'o reputedly earning £250,000 a week playing for the Dagestan-based side.<br />But having fielded a side close to his strongest, Rodgers watched them comfortably secure a win that will give them a confidence boost for Sunday's derby clash with Everton.<br />They were always in control, creating a steady stream of chances throughout. The first of them fell to Jonjo Shelvey but he wasted an opportunity to add to his three goals in the competition.<br />Luis Suarez got away from defender Joao Carlos to square for the midfielder, only for Shelvey to scoop his right-footed effort over the bar from the edge of the area.<br />Suarez was involved again as Liverpool opened up the Russians once more, spotting Glen Johnson's rare foray into the box and delivering a clever flicked pass into his path that the left-back failed to make contact with.<br />Anzhi, with former Blackburn defender Chris Samba at the heart of their defence, came under further pressure as half-time approached.<br />An off-target Nuri Sahin header and a shot wide from Agger suggested a growing urgency in Liverpool's play.<br />Agger's defensive partner Martin Sktrel was next to test Gabulov with a shot from distance as the hosts continued to dominate possession.<br />And it was a surprise when Steven Gerrard passed up a chance to score the opener.<br />Half-time substitute Rahe
