Liverpool will be hoping for no slip-ups at home to Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa in the late Premier League kick-off on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday, 18th January 2014; 5.30pm kick-off
Premier League
Anfield
Liverpool have made the perfect start to 2014, with victories over Hull City and Stoke City in the league and Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup.
However, they continue to need to win every game to stay in the top four, where they start before this weekend’s rounds of games.
With Arsenal at home to Fulham and Manchester City at home to Cardiff on Saturday with Chelsea playing Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers‘ men can’t afford to let any points slip against Villa.
The opposition
Villa have already been busy in the transfer market this January, with Grant Holt and Ryan Bertrand possibly making their debuts for the club at Anfield.
They currently sit 11th in the table after a sluggish start to the season, however a gulf of 18 points separate them from Liverpool.
Having suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Sheffield United in the FA Cup, and at home to Arsenal on Monday night, Lambert’s men will be looking for their first points since a 1-0 win at Sunderland on New Year’s Day.
Team news
Daniel Sturridge returned as a second-half substitute at Stoke last week to set-up Luis Suarez for a goal, and then grab one himself. He could make his first start after his ankle injury.
Sturridge to score first in the game is a tempting 3/1.
Joe Allen and Mamadou Sakho return to the matchday squad after injuries picked up in the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea last month, although there are still doubts over Sakho’s fitness and the French international may require a late fitness test.
Expect Steven Gerrard to play in the holding midfield role Brendan Rodgers alluded to in comments after the victory at the Britannia Stadium last weekend.
Betting tip
Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have scored 32 goals between them this season. Both Suarez and Sturridge to score and Liverpool to win 3/1 and you can get a free £25 bet with William Hill here.
TV coverage
The match is live on Sky Sports 1 in the UK, and highlights on Match of the Day on BBC One at 10.20pm.
petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk
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