Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Villa Park in November, when they were a goal down with four minutes remaining, was one of the most important of the season. Had they lost that day they would have been only three points clear of the champions Manchester City. Eight days later, after routing City at Anfield, they were nine clear.
Godspeed, Villa department Liverpool have won their last 23 Premier League games at Anfield, an English top-flighr record. And in the last two league seasons, their record at home is P35 W33 D2 L0 F99 A22.
Team news
Liverpool (4-3-3) Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Origi, Mane.
Substitutes: Adrian, Williams, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Jones, Elliott, Firmino, Minamino, Shaqiri.
Aston Villa (4-3-3) Reina; Konsa, Hause, Mings, Taylor; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Grealish; El Ghazi, Davis, Trezeguet.
Substitutes: Nyland, Guilbert, El Mohamady, Lansbury, Nakamba, Hourihane, Jota, Vassilev, Samatta.
Referee Paul Tierney.
Preamble
Hello. We’re all friends here, so let us speak frankly. This is not the triumphant homecoming that Liverpool envisaged as they rampaged towards their first title in 30 years. But the first game at Anfield since Liverpool were confirmed as champions is still an opportune moment to celebrate an immortal group of players who have climbed Everest in record time. The pubs are open, Britain is Great again; what else are we going to do?
Liverpool would have been of a mind to put on a show even before their 4-0 defeat at Manchester City on Thursday. Now they will want to make Villa – and City – pay for that mild embarrassment. If Liverpool win five of their last six games, they will break City’s records for the most points (100) and wins (32) in an English top-flight season. One thing’s for sure: I wouldn’t fancy being an Aston Villa defender for the next few hours.
Kick off 4.30pm.
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