Liverpool and Aston Villa have both beaten each other already this season…
The Reds might head into Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final as favourites but Brendan Rodgers and co will be all too aware of the threat Aston Villa will carry, particularly since they’ve already won at Anfield this season.
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Both sides have improved during the second-half of the season, with Tim Sherwood inspiring our opponent’s recent revival since his arrival as manager. With a Wembley final to play for, nothing is a given in this game.
Here are the five key battles that will determine Sunday’s match…
5) Lucas Leiva vs Tom Cleverley
The former Manchester United man has endured an indifferent season on loan from Old Trafford but has the big-game experience on his side. The former England international won’t be fazed by playing at Wembley and will surely be determined to prove his many critics wrong. The man who will be looking to mark him out of the game is our Brazilian enforcer, who will continue his usual role of sweeping up the pieces in front of the back-line.
4) Alberto Moreno vs Gabriel Agbonlahor
There are still plenty of question marks over our full-back positions. Moreno is likely to continue on the left, while it could potentially be either Glen Johnson or Emre Can on the right. Either way, Agbonlahor will no doubt be licking his lips at the prospect of finding some space and creating the chances for Christian Benteke. He got the winner at Anfield back in September and must be treated with respect despite his indifferent seasonal record.
3) Raheem Sterling vs Ron Vlaar
Villa were happy to have their giant Dutch defender fit and firing against Tottenham last time out. The veteran centre-half is out of contract at the end of the season and has only featured 16 times in all competitions during the current campaign. However, he proved at last summer’s World Cup how good he can be and he’ll surely want to go out on a high. Rodgers will be hoping that Sterling’s pace advantage is enough to get the better of him.
2) Jordan Henderson vs Fabian Delph
The battle of the two midfielder work-horses. Delph was a rumoured Liverpool transfer target before he signed a new contract earlier this year (via the Daily Mirror) and will surely be eager to prove why he’s regarded so highly by his current employers. The two England internationals have both been key to their respective sides fortunes so far this season and will be desperate to prove that they can get the better of the midfield battle.
1) Martin Skrtel vs Christian Benteke
Skrtel will face an ominous task following his return from suspension. The in-form Belgian has scored eight goals in his last six games, including a hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers and the only goal against Sherwood’s former club Tottenham last time out. The Slovakian will likely be partnered by Dejan Lovren at the back and the pair will have to be at the very best to temper the threat of Benteke, who has caused trouble for us in the past.
