Pre-match: Liverpool V Aston Villa [Saturday December 11th, 15:00]

Liverpool continue what is shaping up to be an epic Premier League title race with Manchester City and Chelsea, hosting Aston Villa at Anfield with Steven Gerrard returning to manage the visitors.

Villa are enjoying a new manager bounce under Gerrard, having won 3 of 4 matches since he was hired away from Rangers to replace Dean Smith. Villa sit 10th in the table with 19 points, having scored 21 goals and conceded 24.

The midfield legend will get a warm welcome from the Liverpool supporters no doubt, but once the referee blows the whistle to begin the match, players and support will be all business as the Reds strive to keep pace in the title race. I expect these will be tough to break down, but we should have our first choice lineup available for the encounter.

Team News: Bobby Firmino is back in training Thursday but I'm not sure if he will be available for the bench quite yet.

Alisson
Trent, Matip, Virgil, Robbo
Fab, Hendo, Thiago
Salah, Jota, Mane.

Let's GO Redmen.

Another saturday 3pm KO. whats going on ?

As i am after everytime I see him Im torn beteen Konate and Matip, and slightly favour Konate.

Other then that the only question for me is does Origi deserve a start and would it give Villa something they arent expecting?

Other then the game the sideshow of Stevies return will be intriguing

As i am after everytime I see him Im torn beteen Konate and Matip, and slightly favour Konate.

Other then that the only question for me is does Origi deserve a start and would it give Villa something they arent expecting?

Other then the game the sideshow of Stevies return will be intriguing

For me the team picks itself

Ali

TAA Matip VDV Rob

Hend Fab Thiago

Salah Jota Mane

Expect to beat Aston Villa by a couple of goals in tomorrow's 3pm kick off. It will be nice to see Steve Gerrard Back at Anfield where I am sure the crowd will give him a warm reception !

Seemed like we never used to play Sat at 3 now it's nearly every week

Going to be a very strange afternoon seeing Stevie up against us at Anfield.

For me the team picks itself

Ali

TAA Matip VDV Rob

Hend Fab Thiago

Salah Jota Mane

Agree with London for team selection, though maybe Keita for Thiago to start.

We haven't lost at home to these under JK's tenure and and we're not about to start now!

Love Stevie G, but f### him & all who sail in him come Saturday at 3pm.

2-0 to the men in red.

COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS!!! 

Another saturday 3pm KO. whats going on ?

Big fan of these 3pm Saturday kick offs.  If there is one thing I could change back about football it would be having at least 8 of the weekends games at 3pm Saturday. 

Big fan of these 3pm Saturday kick offs.  If there is one thing I could change back about football it would be having at least 8 of the weekends games at 3pm Saturday. 

This. And at least 1 on Sunday on ITV at 3

NB: Team no longer available

We need this so much. Gerrard will make us earn it and it will be difficult. Come on Reds.

With Stevie being back at Anfield, I really wanted to get there. Only option I had was to splash out for hospitality tickets. First and probably the last time.
Got two for me and the boy, snd will be having lunch in the Sandon 😊 ( cheapest option) but really looking forward to the game. 1st time back at Anfield for 2 years.

Gone for thee red win. Currently 3:0 but may revise that yet.
COME ON YOU MIGHTY RED BEAST.

I feel like a dog with two tails at the mo. Can’t wait 💪

Agree with London for team selection, though maybe Keita for Thiago to start.

We haven't lost at home to these under JK's tenure and and we're not about to start now!

Love Stevie G, but f### him & all who sail in him come Saturday at 3pm.

2-0 to the men in red.

COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS!!!

Yes I think London's team (which mirrors mine in the OP ) is clearly Jürgen's first choice XI at the moment. Some of the players coming back in To the squad will provide some tougher
decisions down the line, but this it for now.

Remember that after this game, we start jamming the games into tighter spaces on the calendar Beginning Thursday at Newcastle (6 matches in 17 days) - so there will be opportunities for Naby and others.

Sorry to learn Nat Phillips will not be one of those as he has a fractured cheekbone and is out until sometime in January. Makes it doubly good that Joe Gomez has returned.

Big fan of these 3pm Saturday kick offs.  If there is one thing I could change back about football it would be having at least 8 of the weekends games at 3pm Saturday. 

I agree old school 3pm KO's are best for match going fans.

Not for me though, who will be using a crappy stream this saturday.

I find it strange that sky & BT have binned 3 Liverpool games in a row. Its a very rare thing to have 3x3pm ko in a row these days.

Yes I think London's team (which mirrors mine in the OP ) is clearly Jürgen's first choice XI at the moment. Some of the players coming back in To the squad will provide some tougher
decisions down the line, but this it for now.

Remember that after this game, we start jamming the games into tighter spaces on the calendar Beginning Thursday at Newcastle (6 matches in 17 days) - so there will be opportunities for Naby and others.

Sorry to learn Nat Phillips will not be one of those as he has a fractured cheekbone and is out until sometime in January. Makes it doubly good that Joe Gomez has returned.

Sorry Robby, was just having a quick scan of posts in work so missed the entire detail of your OP!

Another saturday 3pm KO. whats going on ?

it'll never catch on mate

it'll never catch on mate

 

Liverpool continue what is shaping up to be an epic Premier League title race with Manchester City and Chelsea, hosting Aston Villa at Anfield with Steven Gerrard returning to manage the visitors.

Villa are enjoying a new manager bounce under Gerrard, having won 3 of 4 matches since he was hired away from Rangers to replace Dean Smith. Villa sit 10th in the table with 19 points, having scored 21 goals and conceded 24.

The midfield legend will get a warm welcome from the Liverpool supporters no doubt, but once the referee blows the whistle to begin the match, players and support will be all business as the Reds strive to keep pace in the title race. I expect these will be tough to break down, but we should have our first choice lineup available for the encounter.

Team News: Bobby Firmino is back in training Thursday but I'm not sure if he will be available for the bench quite yet.

Alisson
Trent, Matip, Virgil, Robbo
Fab, Hendo, Thiago
Salah, Jota, Mane.

Let's GO Redmen.

yup, this does seem to be the 1st choice 11 for now.

But whats really cool is the guys who have been coming in for rotation have all performed very well, even pundits have noted how well we have rotated when needed. Props to the squad.

Jota and Origi out??

Jota and Origi out??

Heard about Jota getting a knock, but Divock too? hadn't heard that

Origi is fine.

Just back from hospital after 6 days in, ERCP to remove gallstone and put in a stent. Knackered. Missed a few matches, was soooooo good last night to catch up on our recent games and results, the lads have done brilliant
Stevie already has Villa playing with their chests out, he'll be coming to win, he's a winner. And the 7-2 result still sticks in the craw. So as much respect as I have for SG, I hope we really get stuck into them and keep the pressure on Chavs and Citeh.

Every game now has the potential to be record breaking for our boys they are just like a machine at present we are so lucky

Be great to see the great man back at anfield, anyway enough about Danny ings, will be tough as their new manager (can't recall the name) has started well. A blow if no jota so would go with divvy and the usual other 10

Origi is fine.

I wonder if Jürgen might put Minamino on a wing.and move Sadio or Mo to the center if he is  concerned about Divock starting another game.

Just back from hospital after 6 days in, ERCP to remove gallstone and put in a stent. Knackered. Missed a few matches, was soooooo good last night to catch up on our recent games and results, the lads have done brilliant
Stevie already has Villa playing with their chests out, he'll be coming to win, he's a winner. And the 7-2 result still sticks in the craw. So as much respect as I have for SG, I hope we really get stuck into them and keep the pressure on Chavs and Citeh.

Welcome back, hope the bodies feeling ok

Big fan of these 3pm Saturday kick offs.  If there is one thing I could change back about football it would be having at least 8 of the weekends games at 3pm Saturday.

Amen to that! Still do enjoy the Saturday afternoon goals show but was always great with a bumper set of PL fixtures.

Loved watching Final Score (or The Goal Rush - ITV's version of the show when they had Premiership highlights!) on Saturday afternoons growing up.

Heard Jota hasn't trained yet so that points to him almost inevitably being on the bench at best. Figure Origi starts for him, he's earned it at this point. Otherwise I think the team picks itself.

Heard Jota hasn't trained yet so that points to him almost inevitably being on the bench at best. Figure Origi starts for him, he's earned it at this point. Otherwise I think the team picks itself.

Could be Mini in. Depends what Jürgen thinks is required ref style of by play !

I’d also go for Divoc  who offers something different to occupy the Villa defenders.
Think we’ll miss Jota though.

Amen to that! Still do enjoy the Saturday afternoon goals show but was always great with a bumper set of PL fixtures.

Loved watching Final Score (or The Goal Rush - ITV's version of the show when they had Premiership highlights!) on Saturday afternoons growing up.

Or waiting for Teletext to update, score changing 5 mins after the final whistle as it was so slow.

Or waiting for Teletext to update, score changing 5 mins after the final whistle as it was so slow.

Ha ha ha. Teletext ! I remember you were the dogs if you had teletext. All the family and neighbours crowding round the telly.  Happy days eh,

Big fan of these 3pm Saturday kick offs.  If there is one thing I could change back about football it would be having at least 8 of the weekends games at 3pm Saturday. 

True but like Ronaldos first game back at United Sky/BT will both be slightly pissed off they didn't buy the rights to this one now Gerrard is back at Anfield with Villa.

Origi or Minamino will start. Would go with Minamino since Divock was a little doubtful. Would enter him at 70th minute.

Divock was a little doubtful. Would enter him at 70th minute.

I think if you did that, Divock would be more than a little doubtful 😬

Another saturday 3pm KO. whats going on ?

ridiculous time - ruin my weekend

Expect to beat Aston Villa by a couple of goals in tomorrow's 3pm kick off. It will be nice to see Steve Gerrard Back at Anfield where I am sure the crowd will give him a warm reception !

"Ste Gerrard, Gerrard, slipped on his F***ing arse!!"

Ha ha ha. Teletext ! I remember you were the dogs if you had teletext. All the family and neighbours crowding round the telly.  Happy days eh,

Ceefax was better!!

Fabinho and Robertson both 1 yellow from a ban. Anyone know when the cut off is?

Fabinho and Robertson both 1 yellow from a ban. Anyone know when the cut off is?

19th game?

Reading TIA article, love what Trent had to say about Stevie's return. Can't wait for this game. COYR

19th game?

That would make sense 🤦‍♂️