Liverpool go into their Premier League house match in opposition to Aston Villa having gained their final six matches at Anfield and with the opposition struggling a slide in type.
Liverpool vs. Aston Villa
Premier League (11) | AnfieldNovember 9, 2024 | 8pm (GMT)
Liverpool supporters are assured as they go right into a weekend that would put their staff firmly forward of their rivals or, at worst, see them end one level behind the league leaders.
With a global break to observe, the Reds will wish to jet off all over the world with a win to indicate for his or her efforts forward of a tough run of fixtures that features Actual Madrid, Man Metropolis and Everton away.
1. A Saturday night time kick-off
Unusually, Liverpool’s match in opposition to Aston Villa kicks off at 8pm on a Saturday night time.
The rationale for that is that TNT Sports activities couldn’t schedule this conflict for his or her common 12.30pm slot as Unai Emery’s aspect performed away within the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Forward of the 2021/22 season, it was agreed that no golf equipment taking part in on a Wednesday night time within the Champions League can be scheduled for an early kick-off within the Premier League the next Saturday.
That has since been modified to solely cowl groups taking part in away in Europe, which is why the Reds nonetheless had a lunchtime kick-off at Crystal Palace after dealing with Bologna.
2. Staff information
Arne Slot didn’t allude to there being any new absentees for Liverpool going into the match in opposition to Aston Villa.
Nonetheless, he did give us information on Diogo Jota‘s restoration from a rib harm, saying: “He will probably be again one or two weeks after the worldwide break.”
Federico Chiesa will seemingly return at the same time and we hope Harvey Elliott will probably be again by then too, although updates on his health has been sparse.
Alisson additionally stays out on account of his hamstring harm sustained in opposition to Crystal Palace on October 5.
3. Arne Slot’s 3 choice dilemmas
• READ HERE: Liverpool lineup choices vs. Villa – 3 key dilemmas & Luis Diaz determination
Having a squad stuffed with gamers performing nicely is good for Liverpool, however it does current Slot with considerably of a conundrum in his staff choices.
Towards Villa, he has three key choices to make as he decides who to play at left-back, left-wing and in midfield.
Andy Robertson might return after solely making the bench in Liverpool’s final two matches, whereas Luis Diaz additionally begins on the left.
In midfield, Slot should decide two of the trio that features Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. Given his glorious type, we’ve gone for Jones to begin this one with Mac Allister.
Predicted XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
4. Aston Villa’s dip in type
• OPPOSITION Q&A – Villa look “determined for worldwide break” – focus ‘dropped’ earlier than Liverpool
Aston Villa have loved one other profitable season up to now, however Emery’s staff have skilled a current hiccup in outcomes.
Having misplaced their final three matches, in opposition to Membership Brugge, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, there may be some strain on the Birmingham-based aspect to select up factors.
Villa followers, although, aren’t too optimistic about their possibilities this weekend. Supporter Tom Fahy even advised This Is Anfield that the staff look “determined for the worldwide break so we are able to gather and regroup.”
For the Anfield fixture, they’ll seemingly have a close to fully-fit squad, with simply two gamers positively out – Ross Barkley and Matty Money who each have “small accidents” to their hamstring and calf, in response to the supervisor.
Youri Tielemans might additionally miss out, although Birmingham Dwell report that Emery is “hopeful” the Belgian will probably be accessible regardless of coping with “a small knee ache.”
5. Liverpool’s left-back battle
With Kostas Tsimikas‘ enhancing type and Robertson’s slight drop-off has come a conundrum for Slot, who should resolve whether or not to make a press release by selecting Tsimikas for this match.
“I believe now we have two excellent left-backs and we play many, many, many video games,” the pinnacle coach stated.
“Then I believe each of them want their video games, as a result of it’s additionally a place the place lots of effort is being requested.
“Should you have a look at the gamers who’ve performed most video games, it’s largely our centre-backs they usually don’t actually run essentially the most should you evaluate that to full-backs or the midfielders or the wingers.
“So there are a number of explanation why our full-backs or our midfielders are generally rotated, however positively it additionally has to do with the standard of the gamers and the distinction in, at the least for my part, the standard of those gamers.”
6. Anfield must be bouncing!
Whereas it isn’t preferrred for travelling supporters, Saturday’s 8pm kick-off time in opposition to Aston Villa does imply Anfield must be even louder than regular.
After having watched Man Metropolis hopefully drop factors away in opposition to Brighton at 5.30pm, Liverpool followers must be greater than up for the match given the rising significance of each recreation because the Reds’ type reveals no indicators of slowing.
The additional pint and nature of the final two atmospheres at Anfield will imply these going to the match are in for an excellent night time, however that doesn’t occur by magic. Make yourselves heard!
7. Title rivals’ fixtures
This isn’t a simple weekend for any of the Premier League title chasers, if such a weekend even exists.
As talked about, Man Metropolis play away at Brighton on Saturday night – a match the Seagulls will probably be eyeing up with confidence given their sturdy however in the end unsuccessful shows in opposition to Liverpool.
Arsenal, too, have a tough match as they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta’s groups are in contrasting moods in the intervening time, Chelsea coming into the sport off the again of an 8-0 Europa Convention League win in opposition to Armenian aspect Noah, whereas Arsenal misplaced 1-0 in midweek to Internazionale.
As they sit in third place, it’s only proper that we point out Nottingham Forest‘s fixture too! They play Newcastle on the Metropolis Floor – a 2pm televised recreation on Sunday.
8. Historical past factors to objectives
This would be the a centesimal assembly between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in all competitions. The Reds have gained 62 of the earlier 99.
The final 14 encounters in all competitions between have produced 57 objectives, a median of greater than 4 per recreation.
In the meantime, there has solely been one goalless draw within the final 38 league encounters at Anfield. The truth is, Liverpool have scored 344 league objectives in opposition to Villa of their historical past – greater than they’ve netted in opposition to another staff.
Every of the Reds’ final 10 objectives scored in league and cup have come within the second half of video games.
9. Who’s the referee?
David Coote, who has issued 28 yellow playing cards in 5 Premier League video games this season, will referee the match and Paul Tierney will act as lead VAR.
Of the seven instances Coote has taken cost of Liverpool matches, the reds have gained 4 instances. Aston Villa, in the meantime, have gained 11 of their 20 matches refereed by him.
Timothy Wooden and Craig Taylor will function Coote’s assistants at Anfield, with Sam Allison performing as fourth official.
Sian Massey-Ellis would be the assistant VAR alongside Coote. It’s her second Liverpool match this marketing campaign after taking up the identical position in opposition to Bournemouth.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Aston Villa is reside on TNT Sports activities 1 with kickoff at 8pm (GMT).
TIA’s matchday reside weblog will probably be up and operating from 7.15pm, with Harry McMullen tasked with conserving you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!
