Liverpool will host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, looking to pick up a win and extend their impressive run of form.
Liverpool, who face Aston Villa next, can still secure UEFA Champions League qualification. But their hopes are hanging by a thread, and they cannot afford to slip up right now. The Reds are currently one point adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United and will have to win the remaining games to stand any chance of playing in the Champions League next year.
On the other hand, Aston Villa are currently eighth in the league table, and they are one point adrift of sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion. They have improved a lot under Unai Emery and will be looking to finish the season as high as possible and push for European qualification.
Aston Villa are unbeaten in four of the last six league matches, and they will look to pull off an upset at Anfield. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Next up, the final home game of the season 👊🔴#LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/8ZP6PUdV8O
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 18, 2023
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Liverpool will be without the services of Calvin Ramsay, Stefan Bajcetic, and Thiago Alcantara because of injuries. Jurgen Klopp is likely to field his side in a 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson Becker in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will continue as the full-backs, and the two players will look to contribute to both phases of the game. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
In the midfield, Fabinho will be deployed in the anchor role, and he will look to win the ball back for his side. Curtis Jones is likely to start on the back of his impressive run of form. Club captain Jordan Henderson could be handed a start here as well.
Roberto Firmino has recovered from his knock, and the Brazilian is set to start in his last-ever appearance at Anfield. Mohamed Salah will continue on the right with Luis Diaz on the left.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Diaz
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have two injury problems heading into Saturday’s contest against Liverpool. Jed Steer and Philippe Coutinho are set to miss out with injuries. Aston Villa are likely to shape up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Emiliano Martinez in goal.
Ashley Young and Alex Moreno will be deployed as the full-backs. The two players will look to keep the back four compact and contribute offensively during counter-attacks. Ezri Konsa will start alongside Tyrone Mings at the heart of the defence.
Douglas Luiz will start along with Boubacar Kamara in the middle of the park. The two players will look to keep the midfield compact and win the ball back. John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey will be deployed in the wide areas as inverted attacking midfielders. The two players will look to outnumber Liverpool in the midfield and help create goal-scoring opportunities.
Finally, Ollie Watkins will lead the line along with Emiliano Buendia. The Argentine international is expected to drop down to the midfield from time to time and help link the midfield with the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won their last seven matches in the Premier League.
- Liverpool have won their last five matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
- 25 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in five of the last six matches against Aston Villa at Anfield.
- Aston Villa have failed to score in two of the last three matches at Anfield.
Player to Watch
Roberto Firmino
Bobby Firmino has played more games [353] for the club under Jurgen Klopp than any other player.
Next on the list is James Milner with 321. pic.twitter.com/3q28KhKNZb
— TheKop.com (@TheKop_com) May 19, 2023
The Brazilian has not played regularly because of persistent injury problems this season. But he has 11 goals and five assists across all competitions. Liverpool will need his playmaking abilities and intelligence to break down a disciplined Aston Villa defence.
Villa have done quite well under Unai Emery, and the Reds might find it difficult to get past their resurgent back four. Firmino could help create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates and he will be our player to watch out for.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa
Both teams have done reasonably well in the last few league matches, and this is likely to be a close contest. Liverpool are undoubtedly the better team on paper and they will be the favourites at Anfield.
Both Liverpool and Aston Villa are likely to create goalscoring opportunities here and they will get on the score sheet as well. However, the home team has the quality and momentum with them. They should be able to grind out all three points in the end. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow.