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Liverpool welcome Aston Villa to Anfield on Saturday night for what promises to be another thrilling Premier League encounter. Both sides head into the fixture with plenty at stake Liverpool aiming to bounce back from their defeat at Brentford, and Villa eager to build on their impressive win over Manchester City. Arne Slot and Unai Emery both provided updates in their pre-match press conferences, revealing key injury news and outlining the challenges their squads face as the busy fixture schedule continues.
Liverpool’s Injury Update: Gravenberch Back in Contention
Liverpool fans have been given a welcome boost ahead of the clash, with Arne Slot confirming that Ryan Gravenberch could make his return after missing three games with a twisted ankle.
The Dutch midfielder resumed training with the squad on Thursday and will be assessed before the match. Slot remains cautiously optimistic about his availability.
“Ryan trained with us for the first time yesterday, will train with us today,” Slot said on Friday. “Then we are going to make the call if he is able to start, yes or no.”
Gravenberch’s return would add much-needed creativity and stability to Liverpool’s midfield. His ability to progress the ball and link up play has been missed in recent games, particularly in transitions where Liverpool have looked less composed.
Key Absentees: Isak, Jones, and Alisson Remain Sidelined
While Gravenberch’s return is good news, Slot confirmed that Alexander Isak and Curtis Jones are “99.9 per cent sure” to miss out this weekend. That adds to a growing injury list that already includes Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni. Liverpool’s rotation has been tested heavily in recent weeks, forcing several players to play more minutes than planned.
Slot acknowledged the challenge but refused to use it as an excuse.
“Every team has injuries, so it’s not an excuse for us,” he said. “But some players have had to play more than you want them to, which increases their risk of getting injured as well. That’s just the situation as it is.”
Despite the setbacks, Slot insists that Liverpool still have “more than enough good players available” to compete in upcoming matches, including this one against Villa, followed by games on Tuesday and Sunday.
Squad Management and Fixture Congestion
Slot’s comments highlight the balancing act that comes with managing a squad competing across multiple competitions. Last season, Liverpool benefited from a relatively fit squad and consistent selection. This time, the new head coach has had to juggle frequent changes and a demanding match schedule.
He admitted that he chose to rest several key players in their recent matches to avoid overloading them physically.
“I made the decision not to play seven or eight players two days ago,” Slot revealed, hinting that fresh legs could return for Saturday’s clash.
This suggests that fans might see the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Mohamed Salah back in the starting lineup after they featured in the 3-2 loss at Brentford on October 25.
Harvey Elliott Ineligible Against Parent Club
Liverpool will also be without Harvey Elliott, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa. Premier League regulations prevent him from facing his parent club. Elliott’s absence will be felt by Villa, as the young midfielder has made a strong impression under Unai Emery with his energy, pressing, and creativity. His recent performances have given Villa an extra spark in the attacking third.
Aston Villa Team News: Buendia and Tielemans Still Out
Aston Villa have injury issues of their own. Emiliano Buendia, who was forced off in the first half of Villa’s 1-0 win over Manchester City, will not be available for the trip to Anfield.
Unai Emery confirmed the setback but added that the Argentine’s injury is not serious.
“He is not available for tomorrow but the injury he has is going well,” Emery said. “With a few days more he can be fit and available for the next matches, hopefully.”
Youri Tielemans and Andres Garcia remain sidelined, though both are making progress in their recoveries. Emery said Tielemans could rejoin team training next week, while Garcia is still a few weeks away.
“Still the same players out,” Emery added. “Youri Tielemans is progressing well and will hopefully start training next week. Andres is also getting better but still needs some time.”
Recent Form: Liverpool Looking to Bounce Back
Liverpool’s last Premier League outing ended in disappointment as they fell 3-2 away at Brentford. That night, Arne Slot fielded a side of Mamardashvili in goal, with Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, and Kerkez forming the back line. Szoboszlai, Jones, and Wirtz started in midfield, while Salah, Gakpo, and Ekitike led the attack.
Despite goals from Milos Kerkez and Mohamed Salah, Liverpool couldn’t overturn the deficit created by Brentford’s quick transitions and sharp finishing. Slot will be eager to see a more controlled and defensively disciplined performance at home.
Villa Riding High After City Win
Aston Villa come into this match with confidence after their impressive 1-0 win over Manchester City at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s men produced a disciplined and resilient performance, with John McGinn and Douglas Luiz controlling the midfield and Ollie Watkins causing problems in attack.
Their starting lineup in that match included Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, and Digne in defense, with Kamara, Onana, and McGinn operating centrally. Rogers, Buendia, and Watkins provided the attacking threat. That victory showed how far Villa have come under Emery’s tactical guidance. They remain organized, compact, and clinical in transition traits that could trouble Liverpool at Anfield if given space to exploit.
Tactical Expectations: Midfield Battle Key
This match could hinge on who controls the midfield. If Gravenberch returns, Liverpool will have more technical control alongside Szoboszlai and Wirtz, while Villa will rely on the physical presence of Kamara and Onana to disrupt play.
Salah remains Liverpool’s biggest attacking threat, having scored consistently despite the team’s mixed results. Gakpo’s link-up play and Ekitike’s movement could also be crucial in breaking down Villa’s defense, which has been one of the league’s most disciplined this season. Defensively, Liverpool will look to avoid the lapses that cost them at Brentford. Van Dijk and Konate will need to stay alert to Watkins’ pace and movement.
Anfield Factor and Final Thoughts
Liverpool’s home form remains a key strength. Under the lights at Anfield, they often find an extra gear, and the crowd’s energy tends to lift the team when needed most. Arne Slot will expect a reaction from his players after recent setbacks. With Gravenberch potentially returning and several key players rested, Liverpool will aim to reassert control and keep pressure on the teams above them in the Premier League table.
Aston Villa, however, are no easy opponents. Emery has turned them into one of the most tactically intelligent sides in the league, capable of adapting to different situations and striking on the counter. With both sides carrying injury concerns but boasting enough quality to make this a fierce contest, Saturday’s game at Anfield promises intensity, drama, and moments of brilliance.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com