Game Week 10 Predictions: Villa and Liverpool to share spoils

Liverpool vs Aston Villa: Crisis-hit champs face Emery's in-form Villa. Can Slot halt 6/7 loss skid? Verdict: Both teams to score.

It's a huge one at Anfield as Liverpool seeks a route out of the woods, will Villa add to their misery? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Anfield

9:00pm

“One thing that gives me confidence is the quality of my players and the chances we create. I won’t say what we need to improve so they don’t say I’m making excuses, but I’m sure we will turn things around” – Arne Slot.

How does it feel for Premier League champions Liverpool in the midst of this horrendous run? After the money spent on top players and six losses out of seven games, is this the second-season syndrome for new managers? Can Arne Slot indeed turn this around?

Liverpool will host Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Saturday in what will be the final game of the day, and what a way to wrap up a day of total football. The champions, however, must ensure they don’t lose again; you can’t win the title in October, but you can certainly lose it if you slip far behind.

Aston Villa beat Manchester City last weekend; it was a win that did Unai Emery’s former side, Arsenal, a huge favour. The Spaniard might take it one step farther by doing another one against Liverpool, which could potentially take Arsenal ten points clear at the top over Liverpool.

What is working for Villa? If you remember, they were 18th just some five game weeks ago; they have won four on the bounce in the league, and that has thrown them straight into the top 8. Now they want to take it a level higher against the champions.

Should Liverpool lose in front of their own fans again, it will be the first time since 1953 that the Reds would lose five on the bounce in the league. Slot knows what is at stake; he can’t always give excuses; he must win this one.

Slot fielded a bunch of kids against Crystal Palace in midweek, which got them a real hammering and an exit from the League Cup. Resting players ahead of games against Villa and Real Madrid makes sense; however, it will only appease fans if they win one of the two games at least.

Mohammed Salah is not at his best, Florian Wirtz isn’t at the races, Alexander Isak hasn’t found his groove, the midfield isn’t ticking and the defence has been the worst we’ve seen in recent years of Liverpool. Where will help come from for the champions?

Morgan Rodgers and Ollie Watkins are the players Liverpool must keep eyes on. Set pieces will also be a thing on Saturday night; Liverpool can’t keep their eyes off the aerial balls. Virgil Van Dijk must step up; he is the leader. It’s time to lead them out of crisis.

Verdict: Both teams to score.