The midfield will decide if Liverpool beat Aston Villa
The midfield will decide the fate of Liverpool.
Liverpool roll into Birmingham come Sunday for a tie with Aston Villa and Dean Smith’s Lions. The champion Reds are putting a 3-0-0 start to this fall campaign on the line with Villa, who are sitting fourth having won their first two games.
Villa are coming off a 3-0 win on the road at Fulham, and have been in good form thus far. Smith has his side putting up good solid defense and they’ve yet to concede a goal in the league.
Liverpool will be looking to exploit these Lions on their home ground, which has been a bridge too far for their three previous opponents.
The Reds won the league match against Arsenal by 3-1 on Monday past; and then lost a nail biter on penalties against Gunners in the fourth round Carabao Cup on Thursday, both at Anfield.
This should be a good hard fought match with Jurgen Klopp putting out his best and strongest side – a far cry to the team he selected during the week.
Jordan Henderson returning from injury is not expected to be available, as well as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Matip, Thiago and Sadio Mane (tested positive for COVID).
With very few options, Klopp will be forced to select the usual suspects across the back five while James Milner and Neco Williams should be likely sub candidates. Kostas Tsmikas is also unavailable after picking up an injury during the Lincoln City win.
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The forward line is pretty straightforward but Diogo Jota will be in line to make his full Premier League debut for Liverpool in place of Mane.
Takumi Minamino, Divok Origi are likely forward subs.
The midfield begins with Fabinho in the no. 6 with Gini Wijnaldum and Naby Keita. Keita has started all three Premier League games so far and looks to be in his best ever form for Liverpool; long may that continue.
Liverpool will control of the ball possession with their patented high pressure and look to win a lot of midfield duels. This is one where aerial duels could be seen quite a lot as Villa play well with the ball in the air.
Look for Smith’s side to play the occasional long ball to try to take pressure off of bring the ball forward from the back.
If the Reds win the midfield battle then they should come away with the three points. I’m still looking for Roberto Firmino to get off and score his first of the fall campaign.
A draw is not out of the question here, and would not be the end of the world for these Reds. But a lose will hurt this early in the campaign. Everton in the derby at Goodison Park looms large with Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffee’s playing their best start in a generation.
Jurgen Klopp and the Reds will need their confidence, their quality, and their mental poise to get past this tie.
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The Reds are bringing the Champion Roadshow to Villa Park and I expect a hard fought win at the end of the day here. I look for a favorable scoreline with Liverpool winning 2-0 and keeping their first clean sheet of this season.