So, a recap.
We’ve done very nicely, ta, over our first few games, with a loss at Newcastle, which is no disgrace to say the least and a couple of wins against Everton and Burnley.
So basically, about where we ought to be if we’re being honest.
Now the real tests begin and we face a team, that while currently in decline to my mind, is still a formidable opponent. Well, it’s just Pool away, isn’t it?
They’re never an easy game.
The thing is though, they are weakened when compared to the last decade or even more.
They have a Saudi club wanting to buy Mo Salad, who has basically announced by his silence that he wants to leave for their $2million a week and £150 million offer, which the club have knocked back. Expect them to come back with a £200 million offer and it just confirms that the game is just stupid.
He’s 31, ffs!
Whatever, I don’t see how Pool can account for this and I’ve heard of no replacement in place.
In fact, I personally think Pool are somewhat shellshocked.
I like Klopp, but see his days numbered at Liverpool.
Not that this affects our game tomorrow.
Except it does. This sort of event can totally unsettle everything and I’m hoping that’s happened here.
Squad news and nothing has changed for us, except Martinez will probably be straight back in after his calf twinge.
As for Liverpool, Van Diyk is suspended after his sending off last week and hopefully the inquiry into his abusing the ref will see another couple of games out too.
Curtis Jones is back is training, but Ibrahima Konate and Thiago Alcantara aren’t ready.
Useless fact;
Villa are winless in their last five league visits to Anfield (D1, L4), although only Manchester United and Chelsea have won more Premier League away games against Liverpool than Villa have.
I’m expecting a really good, all out, tactical game here.
Both teams can play at pace, while both defences, if I’m keeping my neutral head on, are prone to errors.
We are going to go for this, because Emery doesn’t do “taking a point”, which is yet another reason why I like him so much.
Let’s not forget;
“The aim of the game is to score more goals than the opponent”
I’m going for a 2-1 result.
The trouble is, I honestly don’t know who’s going to get it and can’t call it.
UTV, while hoping it’s us!
Comments
217 responses to “Liverpool – Villa; Let the real games commence.”
Looking forward to this!
Dominate the midfield and it’s ours for the taking, imo.
I can see both sides scoring, and each defence conceding: 2-2 would be my bet.
An equally good shout.
It’s hard to call, isn’t it?
Never sure what we’ll get with Liverpool; I wasnt really impressed by them at Newcastle, despite the result (that seemed to ne to be partly due to Howe not being able to decide on how to control the game when the magpies were in the lead).
In these games at Anfield, much like OT, a lot depends on the ref’s & now VAR…
Who would have thought that Newcastle after thrashing Villa would not pick up a point in the next 3 games.
The game tomorrow is a real test and I expect Liverpool to go for the jugular. Their football is usually 100 miles per hour stuff and not many teams cope when visiting Anfield. I hope we can take a leaf out of Bournemouth’s book and try to get at them early to try and silence their fans. I think we need to hope Martinez is fit and ready otherwise we will all have the jitters every time the ball is passed back to Olsen.
Without my claret and blue tinted glasses on, I can’t help but think we are still a little bit below the level needed to win this game, although Emery will have done everything possible to set us up to cope with their attacks.
I agree with the fact that the midfield is a key area and with Luiz, Kamara and McGinn, I think we probably have a better group. Their defence is definitely weakened so maybe tomorrow could be our day.
It’s always a good thing to go into the international break with a win. COYL!
Badger, I like the ‘useless fact’ you picked,
Here are three more –
Liverpool are currently on the longest undefeated run in the Prem – 14 games,
They have only lost once at Anfield in their last 43 games and
They’ve won 9 of their last 11 against Villa!
So, even with a new midfield, Van Diyk injured and rumours around Salah, one would have to back a home banker here.
I don’t think we’ll win but we have an evens chance of a draw – nonetheless I think Liverpool will win as – even IF Liverpool are in decline – we’re still building under Emery.
It’s gonna be a biggie! I think we’ll pull this off and about time too…It’s gonna be a cracking game, like the late 1970’s all over again!
Well I’m gear up for it and if we pull it off you can put your money on getting a cup and top six,. The only worries I have is the official s, Villa becoming topic of conversation every week and to be honest most pundits either shunned Villa over the years the likes of Horse Face, Murphy, and and that Prxt Jemain Jenas and many more has-been players that still hold some grievance. Now every game I see the word Aston Villa gets a mention in some way. Today we will know in one way or another what progress we have come in the game today. Vtd.
E Martínez
Konsa
Diego Carlos
P Torres
Cash
Kamara
Douglas Luiz
Digne
Diaby
McGinn
Watkins
Substitutes
8 Tielemans
16 Chambers
17 Lenglet
22 Zaniolo
24 Durán
25 Olsen
31 Bailey
32 Dendoncker
71 Kellyman
That is some bench when you remember we had two goalies on the bench for most of last season.
So Cash in midfield again. 40 minutes to go!!!
That’s probably our best side atm, I reckon.
And yes, Cash well forward again, great stuff.
That bench looks pretty strong now, doesn’t it?
Jesus, great start 🙁
A touch of the Bobby Charlton’s about that strike. )-:
Gutted, silly stupid and I’m lost for words. 1 down in 3 minute.
Long time to go yet. We’re pressing them. Carlos off. Bailey on. Cash back at left back?
Yep, 4 at the back, you’d think.
Bailey on for Carlos.
This is far too easy and could be a caning if we’re not careful.
Shit.
I f***ing hate Liverpool FC. Unlucky for Cash.
Long way to go ? Bloody hell. Blow the whistle ref
Ollie that was a centre forwards goal. No confidence
Well that was embarrassing!
We’re way off being a serious challenge to the ‘establishment’
We did well to get nil.
Well that was a shockingly bad first half! When a good team play at a high tempo such as Newcastle and now Liverpool, we struggle to cope. Torres is a weak link defensively compared to Mings. Shame for Cash with the second goal. Watkins has been awful first half. It feels like a repeat of the Newcastle game with Carlos going off this time. Diaby looks lively but has been having to do it on his own.
I think if we go 3-0 down early on in the second half, we could easily lose 5 or 6!
We’re so vulnerable to pace and an early ball down the sides.
We can only but learn from this. We won’t score today. Disappointing.
Holte you called it we are 3 down, they might only might bring on John Mcginn. I’m wondering if his minds on the international games, as you all can see we are well away from being a force to worry about ,the Newcastle game wasn’t a fluke we are nowhere near good enough yet , bring on the new guys uni please.
McGinn was tied up trying to contain Arnold Alexandre and we didn’t adjust
Terrible attempts from Duran but at least he knows what he is supposed to do
Firstly this is only one game. We’ve been in great form. Today will be a game to remember because we WILL learn from it. Villa today have been utterly unrecognisable, it’s not like Liverpool have been incredible. Why haven’t we turned up? Not a clue!!!!
Write off today, have a beer and look forward to the rest of the season.
(And don’t think for one minute I am not mightily p###ed off about this result).
UTV. SOTC.
I beg to differ Bum Bum – this is frighteningly like the Newcastle game.
Tactically we were poor; defensively we were poor – they won most of the second balls. Liverpool could and probably should have scored at least five.
Yes, we played some good football going forward but our decision making was terrible.
Emery has some problems which he has to address.
Palace next at home and if our defence plays like today against their quick players we’ll be found out.
Fair enough but McGinn had an awful game as did Luiz. I just don’t understand this bloody game!!!!
Ah well, fans do disagree, I thought McGinn and Luiz were pretty good 🙂
Not our finest 90 minutes but as much as I detest Bin Dippers FC they are a very good outfit, about the only team in that division that can lay a glove on Pep’s expensively assembled globe trotters.
2 games against last seasons top 6 teams 2 utterly useless performance.
We’re about middle table team at best to lower end.
This is what happens when don’t spend the money like the top teams.
They’ve all progressed we’ve stood still.
Everyone on about how great our owners are,their only interested what they can make not really bothered about competing at the top.
We’re just there to make numbers up in the league
How can Brighton and brentford keep finding players like they do.
Apart from diaby we’ve bought trash. And got rid of young hungry players for peanuts
Discussed fan since 1957 why do I bother
Newcastle are not all that (imo) have spent poorly and just big, physical hard to beat and harder to watch.
Can’t see Howe seeing the season out ( you heard it here first 😁).
They got the rub of the green that day, this on the other hand was a top team on their game.
As you say, we are a mid table team with maybe a cup run in us ?
I think we are upper half but all this talk of dark horses is completely over hyped.
No way should we be criticising our owners, they have pumped £100’s millions into the club and saved us from financial collapse. Even so we cannot compete financially with teams like Liverpool, United and they that shall not be named and we have to comply with FFP.
But it’s true in one sense – we bought in five players – two loan, one free and spent (based on a broad spectrum of opinion) around £70m on two players.
Top six teams are spending that on one player which probably says it all!
You say I shouldn’t complain about our ownership, but why aren’t we spending like so ca.led big teams.
A net spend of £40 million is pathetic for a couple of our status, just .ook how much forest have bought
And how can Chelsea spend so much?
We’re supposed to have a quality academy, where are these stars?they sold 3 and bought dross apart from diaby
No sorry there’s something wrong with the club,it’s not run for on field success
Looks like happy to play in sub standard European competition and stay in Premier league
Another wolves in the making
Roy, I think we’ll have to agree to disagree as fans do with differing views.
In common we both want the best for our club.
UTV