Liverpool welcome relegation-threatened Aston Villa to Anfield, as Reds' boss Brendan Rodgers looks to register a third straight win in the Premier League. The Merseyside club will be confident of taking all three points, given an impressive run of form that includes a victory in Italy, in a midweek UEFA Europa League group stage game.

Luis Suarez
Reuters

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. LFC TV will have a build-up to the game starting at 2pm GMT and you can watch highlights on Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10.25pm GMT.

Overview

Liverpool are 10th in the league, with 22 points from 16 games. However, they are only four points behind fourth-placed Everton and Rodgers will be aware that a few good results are all that stand between his club and the top half of the Premier League.

The Reds come into this game on the back of a three-match winning run (in all competitions) and after ensuring their progression to the knock-out stages of the Europa League. In addition, recent performances have been praised by captain Gerrard, Rodgers and Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin; the latter saw his Serie A team beaten 0-1 at home.

The last game was a particularly satisfying 2-3 defeat of high-flying West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, in a game that saw talismanic striker Luis Suarez suspended; the Uruguayan was serving a ban after collecting five yellow cards. Youngster Jonjo Shelvey led the line in the South American's absence.

Meanwhile, Paul Lambert's side are battling relegation and are out the bottom three, for now, only on goal difference. However, Villa fans can take heart from recent games - the club has not lost a game since the 5-0 away defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City.

More impressively, they travel to Anfield after a strong win over Norwich City in a Capital One Cup tie; goals from Brett Holman, Christian Benteke and a brace from Andreas Weiman gave Lambert a morale-boosting win. The club's last league game was also a good result, as they managed to hold top ten side Stoke City to a goalless draw.

Aston Villa
Reuters

Team Form

Liverpool

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W W L D
  • Last Match: West Ham United 2 - 3 Liverpool

Aston Villa

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W D D W D
  • Last Match: Norwich City 1 - 4 Aston Villa

Team News

Rodgers will welcome Luis Suarez back to the squad, after the Uruguayan's one-match suspension. Left-back Jose Enrique, who was forced off with a hamstring injury in last week's game against West Ham, faces a late fitness test. English international Stewart Downing will continue as left back should Enrique fail his tests.

On-loan midfielder Nuri Sahin missed the game at Upton Park with a facial injury and is a doubt, while striker Fabio Borini (foot) and defender Martin Kelly (knee) remain long-term absentees.

Probable Line-up: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Downing; Lucas, Allen, Gerrard; Shelvey, Suarez, Sterling

Lambert has quite a few injury concerns at the moment, with Richard Dunne (groin) and Gary Gardner (knee) joined by captain Ron Vlaar (calf) and striker Darren Bent (hamstring). The good news is Joe Bennett (knee) could recover in time for this game but Enda Stevens' ankle problems means the Irish defender is a doubt.

Probable Line-up: Guzan; Lowton, Herd, Clark, Stevens; Westwood, Bannan; Weimann, Holman, Agbonlahor; Benteke