Liverpool's Anfield woes could continue as they face a resurgent Aston Villa side in a Premier League clash on Saturday. The Reds are desperate to end their dismal run of form, while Villa aims to extend their winning streak and climb higher in the league standings.
Liverpool's Recent Form and Challenges
Liverpool's recent performances have been concerning, with six defeats in their last seven matches across all competitions. Their title defense is in danger if they don't turn things around quickly. The team has suffered four consecutive Premier League losses and were recently knocked out of the EFL Cup by Crystal Palace. Anfield, once a fortress, has seen Liverpool lose their last two matches.
Manager Arne Slot faces immense pressure to deliver a positive result against Villa. He rested several key players in the loss to Crystal Palace, hoping they would be refreshed for the upcoming games. Slot has acknowledged the challenges of balancing the fixture schedule with injuries, but insists his team has enough quality to compete.
Aston Villa's Ascendancy
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have been in impressive form, winning six of their last seven matches. Their only defeat came against Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League. In their most recent Premier League match, Villa defeated Manchester City 1-0. Villa's strong performances have propelled them to seventh place in the league, level on points with Liverpool.
Emery aims to secure Villa's first win at Anfield in eleven years. Their direct and robust style of play could pose a challenge to Liverpool's current soft underbelly.
Team News and Potential Lineups
Liverpool has several injury concerns. Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni are confirmed absentees. Alexander Isak and Curtis Jones are also "99.9 percent sure" to miss the game. However, Ryan Gravenberch has returned to training and may be available.
Slot is expected to recall key players who were rested against Crystal Palace, including Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Aston Villa will be without Harvey Elliott, who is ineligible to play against his parent club. Youri Tielemans and Andres Garcia remain sidelined with injuries. Emiliano Buendia is also expected to miss out after being injured in the match against Manchester City. Jadon Sancho could be in line for a start.
Betting Tips and Predictions
Bookmakers favor Liverpool to win, but Aston Villa's recent form makes them a dangerous opponent. Several sources suggest the match will be high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals. A 2-2 draw has been predicted.
Here are some potential betting tips:
- Both Teams To Score (BTTS): Yes.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 Goals.
- Aston Villa +1 on the Asian Handicap.
Key Matchups
- Mohamed Salah vs Lucas Digne: Salah needs to be more involved and track back to stop Digne's forward runs.
- Dominik Szoboszlai vs Boubacar Kamara: Szoboszlai has been a key player for Liverpool, while Kamara is a strong presence in Villa's midfield.
Conclusion
Liverpool's recent struggles and Aston Villa's strong form point towards a potentially frustrating evening for the Reds at Anfield. While Liverpool has a good record against Villa at home, their current form and injury concerns make this a difficult match to predict. Aston Villa will be aiming to capitalize on Liverpool's vulnerability and secure a valuable win.
