Liverpool v Aston Villa predictions: Gerrard's Anfield return may be slow-burner

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Liverpool v Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

When to bet

3pm Saturday

Best bet

Second half to produce more goals
2pts 20-21 bet365

Team news

Liverpool
Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are doubts so Divock Origi may start up front. Nat Phillips (fractured cheekbone) joins Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones on the sidelines.

Aston Villa
Wingers Bertrand Traore and Leon Bailey are injured. Trezeguet, Jacob Ramsey and Matt Targett will be assessed.

Match preview

Aston Villa won their first game under Steven Gerrard thanks to goals in the 84th and 89th minutes against Brighton and there could be more late drama when the Liverpool legend takes his Villa side to Anfield.

Gerrard has led Villa to three wins in four Premier League matches since replacing Dean Smith, and the only blot on his record was a respectable 2-1 home defeat to champions Manchester City.

Liverpool, averaging a shade under three goals per game in the league this season, will pose a serious test of Villa's defensive improvement under their new boss but they were frustrated until the 94th minute at Wolves last weekend.

Villa will aim to do a similar job on the Reds, particularly as they have scored only five first-half goals in 15 league matches this season, so the odds about the second half featuring more goals than the first are appealing.

Key stat

Aston Villa have scored 16 of their 21 league goals in the second half of matches this season.

Inside info

Liverpool

Penalty taker Mohamed Salah
Free-kick wizardTrent Alexander-Arnold
Set-piece aerial threatVirgil van Dijk
Card magnetFabinho

Aston Villa

Penalty taker Anwar El Ghazi/Danny Ings
Free-kick wizardEmi Buendia
Set-piece aerial threatEzri Konsa
Card magnetJohn McGinn

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