Liverpool FC v Aston Villa FC – Match Preview

Liverpool welcome Aston Villa to Anfield this afternoon in a must-win encounter if they wish to maintain their ambitions for the season and, any hope of the manager keeping his job.Following a week of speculation surrounding Brendan Rodgers a mammoth performance is required by the team in order to go some way to restoring faith and stability.

The recent poor performances have to be forgotten and every player has to stand up and be counted today. If reports are to believed a choice of Jürgen Klopp or Carlo Ancelotti awaits in the event of failure. Should Rodgers continue with his three at the back formation, we can only expect Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel and Joe Gomez to fill these positions following the injuries to Dejan Lovren and a doubtful Kolo Touré.

A midfield five should include Emre Can in front of the defence behind Philippe Coutinho and James Milner. Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne bringing the width as wing backs. Leading the attack the manager has Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings at his disposal. The latter being the man of the moment after notching two goals in as many appearances, with plenty heart and endeavour in the process. Divock Origi is clearly some way off being considered as a starter given his lack lustre showings thus far and talk has even been of him being sent out on loan – In other words, another purchase isn’t good enough.

In terms of histrionics, Liverpool haven’t enjoyed huge success against today’s visitors it must be said. In the last five Premiership games at Anfield, the record reads: W1 D2 L2 so the omens don’t look good. This is a game that I always look at as a barometer of the teams progress. Aston Villa are by no means a Chelsea or an Arsenal, but they are a mid-table side historically, and one that a top team should be expecting to beat reasonably comfortably. Considering Rodgers has not been able to plot a victory against this side sadly, says a lot for his reign.

To get anything out of this game, the side needs more than Ings’ work rate. The likes of Milner, Coutinho, Skrtel, all need to step up if we want to avoid disappointment. Hopefully, come 4:45 pm this afternoon there’ll be good news to write about. Three points in the bag and some progress towards the season’s expectations.

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