Liverpool vs Aston Villa – Premier League: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction

Liverpool host Aston Villa in an intriguing Premier League meeting between two open outfits on Sunday afternoon.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and had the heart of their backline ripped out by Virgil van Dijk’s dismissal against Newcastle United last weekend.

Only newly promoted Luton Town have conceded more than Villa’s six goals this term – a glut that can be partially explained by the season-ending injury to centre-back Tyrone Mings. But Unai Emery’s team have rattled in eight of their own at the other end of the pitch.

With both intent on catching the opposition offside – strategies that have had mixed success, at best, this term – here’s everything you need to know about a mouth-watering matchup.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa H2H record (last five games)

Current form (last five competitive games)

Van Dijk will not be the only notable absentee from Liverpool’s backline. The Dutch skipper, who was charged by the FA due to his colourful exchange with the officials last weekend, will be joined on the sidelines by the injured centre-back Ibrahima Konate.

Thiago Alcantara will also take up his well-worn seat in the treatment room but Curtis Jones has overcome an ankle problem to once again be considered for selection.

Following a dramatic, game-changing cameo against Newcastle, Klopp may be tempted to field Darwin Nunez from the off on Sunday afternoon.

Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

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Villa will be without former captain Mings – and Emi Buendia – for the foreseeable future but concerns linger over first-choice goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the short term. The World Cup winner sat out last weekend’s victory over Burnley with a calf problem and wasn’t involved in a comfortable Europa League Conference qualifier at home to Hibernian on Thursday.

Left-back Alex Moreno is struggling with a hamstring injury but Leander Dendoncker returned to feature in the 3-0 win over Hibs. Jacob Ramsey, who was voted the best Premier League academy graduate last season, is a doubt with a thigh issue.

Aston Villa predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Olsen; Konsa, Carlos, Torres; Cash, Kamara, Luiz, Digne; Diaby, McGinn; Watkins

Despite the fog of unease hanging over Liverpool’s start to the season, the Reds are in the midst of the longest unbeaten run of any Premier League team. Klopp’s side have not lost a top-flight fixture since 1 April against Manchester City.

Villa may be a different beast under Emery – only City have won more Premier League points in 2023 – but they have endured a wretched run of form at Anfield; the Midlands giants last won away to Liverpool in 2014.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Bournemouth