Brendan Rodgers needs a win more than he has ever done in his time at Liverpool. The besieged manager accepts he is in a precarious position after an alarming spell and not even the visit of a team who have four defeats from five league games offers encouragement. Aston Villa have won two and drawn two of their past four visits to Anfield, accelerated Liverpool’s problems last season with victory in the FA Cup semi-final and have clear anxiety to capitalise upon. Rodgers’ injury problems have mounted with Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren joining the absentee list this week. Andy Hunter
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Anfield
Last season Liverpool 0 Aston Villa 1
Referee Jonathan Moss
This season G9, Y9, R2, 3.25 cards per game
Odds H 1-2 A 6-1 D 3-1
Liverpool
Subs from Bogdan, Ibe, Allen, Gomez, Lallana, Teixeira, Rossiter, Chirivella, Brannagan, Origi, Randall
Doubtful None
Injured Benteke (hamstring, 4 Oct), Firmino (back, 17 Oct), Henderson (foot, Nov), Lovren (ankle, Nov), Flanagan (knee, Dec)
Suspended None
Form WWDLLD
Discipline Y16 R1
Leading scorer Benteke 2
Aston Villa
Subs from Bunn, Bacuna, Richardson, Crespo, N’Zogbia, Clark, Traoré, Gueye, Veretout, Kozak, Gestede, Ayew
Doubtful Agbonlahor (calf), Crespo (groin), Gueye (hamstring), Traoré (ankle)
Injured Gardner (ankle, 17 Oct), Okore (knee, 24 Oct)
Suspended None
Form WLLDLL
Discipline Y13 R0
Leading scorer Sinclair 2
