Liverpool are under pressure to halt a worrying league slide as we welcome Aston Villa to Anfield in what is a pivotal Premier League clash.
Ally McCoist and Darren Fletcher went head-to-head on TNT Sports’ Ally vs Fletch, offering contrasting views on how the Reds will respond.
“Liverpool have got to get better and they’ve got to start winning games… it’s too important for Liverpool not to win this game and that’s why I’m backing them at Anfield,” said McCoist.
The former Rangers striker highlighted the need for us to respond immediately after four consecutive league defeats.
Fletcher, however, predicted a tight encounter, noting that our confidence has been shaken and Villa’s four-game winning streak makes this a tricky assignment.
Liverpool have historically dominated Villa at Anfield, winning six of the last seven league meetings at home, with only one draw breaking that run.
Our last 15 top-flight encounters with Villa have seen just a single defeat, further evidence that we usually hold the edge.
McCoist’s faith in Liverpool attacking talent
McCoist is a known admirer of Florian Wirtz, previously praising the German’s “top-class weighted pass” in the Champions League.
Fans will hope Wirtz can impress again against Villa, providing creativity in the final third alongside Mo Salah, who is now just one goal shy of 250 for the club.
The Scot was also full of praise for the Egyptian King after our last league outing with Brentford.
“That’s absolutely brilliant from Mohamed Salah… absolutely magic,” he said after the goal in London and let’s hope he can dazzle us again tonight.
Villa have been formidable recently under Unai Emery, but Liverpool’s scoring record against them is remarkable: 95 league wins, 63 goals in the last 16 encounters, and goals in 21 of the last 22 Anfield clashes.
What’s at stake at Anfield
A draw or better would see Arne Slot reach 100 points in the Premier League as head coach of Liverpool. He would tie Kenny Dalglish’s record of 100 points in fewer games than any other Reds boss – 48.
With Ryan Gravenberch returning to training too, our midfield depth could prove decisive. Victory here could ignite a turnaround and restore belief in the squad.
Liverpool fans will need to rally behind the team, echoing Slot’s programme note emphasis on unity and effort. This weekend, it’s not just about talent – it’s about responding as a team in front of our supporters.
You can watch Slot’s full pre-Aston Villa press conference via Empire of the Kop on YouTube:
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The team selection was decided by the weakened team we saw against palace. It will 4231 Kirkez Bradley konate van dijk. Alisson won’t play. The two protecting the midfield will be szoboszlai and gravenberch, if fit. Salah wirtz and Gakpo with ekitike up front. When confidence is rock bottom it’s difficult to turn things around, this is a team that’s not functioning in any area, especially without the ball, villa are a good counter attacking team and I can only see another defeat. Hopefully I’m wrong, a draw would be a good result, something to build on. If we do lose this one then what next? We haven’t been this bad since the last days of Brendan Rodgers who was also given money on lots of new signings and they didn’t work either. There are glaring similarities been that team that couldn’t defend and This one under slot. When you are this bad with so many players out of sorts the manager needs to go. That’s the truth that nobody wants to face up to, especially people on here. Villa to win 3- 1
Same old. Lesson unlearned.
Like someone else we know.
As we’ve seen from historically similar kinds of case, the weekend often leads them to believe the heat’s off and they revert to form.