Merseyside | Liverpool and Arne Slot are desperate for a win

Liverpool v Aston Villa preview

Two teams approach this fixture in starkly contrasting form. 

Author | William G

Stadium | Anfield

View from the stands at Liverpool v Crystal Palace

Liverpool, beaten in four successive league matches, have slipped to sixth place, while Aston Villa have climbed to seventh after four wins on the bounce. Only goal difference separates the sides as they prepare to face off at Anfield.

Arne Slot cut a forlorn figure at full time at the Gtech Community Stadium, where his Liverpool side were second best in every department against a hungrier Brentford team. The defending champions looked uncertain and easily unsettled, repeatedly falling victim to the long-throw tactic they had spent the week preparing for. In attack, their front line appeared disjointed and short of confidence, leaving Slot with more questions than answers as he searches for a formula to stop the slide. The midweek EFL Cup defeat against Crystal Palace added to the growing angst among those at Anfield.

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Team news

Liverpool were without Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong and Ryan Gravenberch for the trip to Brentford, though all three could return for the visit of Aston Villa after further training sessions. Curtis Jones, outstanding against Brentford, also picked up an injury last weekend and remains a doubt.

With player fitness in mind, Arne Slot fielded a much-changed side against Crystal Palace, handing opportunities to several youngsters. The move failed to produce a positive result, but it did offer senior players a valuable rest and reduced the team’s fixture load. The Reds are expected to recall their key names for Villa’s visit, with Alisson Becker still sidelined and Giorgi Mamardashvili set to continue in goal.

A closer look at Liverpool’s opposition

Last time in the league, Aston Villa delivered a classic Unai Emery display to overcome Manchester City, with Matty Cash’s outstanding strike proving decisive. The visitors combined disciplined defending with a physically dominant performance to turn their league form around. Their surge to seventh has reignited hopes of a top-four challenge, and a positive result at Anfield would see them move into those coveted positions.

Villa’s direct and combative approach could pose serious problems for a Liverpool side that has lost much of its edge in recent weeks. Emery will be determined to maintain his team’s momentum and secure a first Villa victory at Anfield in eleven years.

Villa team news

Unai Emery faced several questions about Harvey Elliott in his press conference last weekend, but with the Liverpool loanee ineligible to face his parent club, that particular subplot will be absent this time. Instead, attention may turn to Jadon Sancho, who appeared to snub his manager after being substituted. With Emiliano Buendia still sidelined, Sancho’s hopes of earning a starting place could depend on how he responds in training.

Youri Tielemans remains out with a calf problem, leaving Emery with a selection dilemma on the right flank. The Villa manager must decide between Donyell Malen and Evann Guessand as he looks to maintain his side’s recent momentum.