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Liverpool will look to keep the pressure up in the race for a top four spot when they go up against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
Much has changed with both sides since they met at the tail end of the last season, a game in which Stuart Downing scored the winner in his last game for the Villains before making the switch to Anfield, while gone are Gerrard Houllier and Gary Macallister (who was in charge that day after Houllier’s heart surgery) from the hot seat, with former Birmingham boss Alex McLiesh taking up the reins.
This time round Downing returns to Villa Park for the first time in a red shirt while Kenny Dalglish, who spoke that day of his desire to take Liverpool back into European football, will be desperately seeking to pick up all three points to keep the pressure up on the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal.
Villa meanwhile have had a solid if not spectacular start to the season leaving the Villa faithful somewhat frustrated at the efforts of a boss who was an unpopular choice have arrived from local rivals Birmingham.
There is no doubt that Liverpool have made progress under Dalglish since he took over the club around a year ago, but they are not the finished article as yet as their inconsistencies begin to show.
Draws this season against Swansea and Norwich as well as a defeat against Fulham have hampered their progress in the race for the top four, while a win over Chelsea and a point against Manchester United has ably demonstrated their ability.
Luis Suarez has so far been the epitome of Liverpool’s success and failures this season, with the Uruguayan showing he has the potential to be one the finest strikers in the league.
His 5 goals in the league this season have shown his finishing ability but the former Ajax man has one of the worst shot/goal ratio’s in the league having had 69 shots on goal this season.
His off-the-field antics have also thrust him in the spotlight with an FA charge of allegedly racially abusing Patrice Evra still hanging over him, while his offensive hand gesture to Fulham fans following Liverpool’s defeat at Craven Cottage is also likely to hand him in hot water.
Match Winner
If Liverpool are to prove their worth as Champions League contenders they will look at games such as the one this weekend at believe they will come away with all three points.
The Reds are at 2.00 (evens) with Paddy Power for the game on Sunday while Villa are 4.33 (10/3) with BetFred to spring a surprise.
The draw is 3.50 (5/2) with VC Bet.
First Goalscorer
Luis Suarez will no doubt be the main goal scoring threat in the game, while Villa’s Darren Bent will be hoping to steal the limelight.
Suarez is 5.50 (9/2) with Bet365 while Bent is 7.50 (13/2) with the same bookmaker to open the scoring on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Andy Carroll is placed at 8.00 (7/1) with Ladbrokes while Nathan Delfouneso is 12.00 (11/1) with Bet365.
Recommended Bets
First Goalscorer: Luis Suarez, 5.50 (9/2) Bet365
Correct score: 2-1 Liverpool, 9.00 (8/1) BetFred
