Liverpool hosts Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday, November 1, in a Premier League clash crucial for both sides. Follow our live build-up from 17:00 GMT ahead of the 8:00 PM (20:00 GMT) kick-off.

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Match Overview

• Fixture: Liverpool vs Aston Villa
• Competition: English Premier League
• Date & Time: Saturday, November 1, 20:00 GMT
• Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom
• Coverage: Al Jazeera Sport – live text commentary and team news

Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces mounting pressure after a poor run of form, despite lifting the Premier League title last season. Slot made ten changes for Wednesday’s League Cup 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, sparking debate about squad rotation and priorities.

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Liverpool’s Current Form and Challenges

• Form (all competitions): L-L-W-L-L
• Premier League run: Four straight defeats
• Key issues: Injuries, squad turnover, and defensive frailties
• Recent concern: No clean sheet in ten matches

Slot emphasized the need to rotate players due to injuries and upcoming fixtures, including Champions League clash vs Real Madrid and a Premier League visit from Manchester City.

“We have still more than enough good players available to play the game on Saturday, to play the game on Tuesday, and to play the game on Sunday, but I have to take care of a few of them,” Slot said.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described the current situation as a “crisis time” for the Reds, given their summer spending of nearly £450 million and losing key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz.

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Aston Villa’s Form and Outlook

• Form (all competitions): W-W-W-L-W
• Premier League position: Close to Liverpool, separated only by goal difference
• Key strengths: Four-match winning run, including wins against Tottenham and Manchester City
• Manager: Unai Emery

Villa enters Anfield in strong form and are a resurgent force in the Premier League title race, providing a stern test for Liverpool’s struggling side.

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Recent Meetings: Liverpool vs Aston Villa

• Last Premier League meeting: 2-2 draw at Villa Park, February 2025
• Previous Anfield fixture: Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa, November 2024
• Last Villa win at Anfield: 2014, 1-0 victory (Gabriel Agbonlahor)
• Historical head-to-head: 206 matches – Liverpool 103 wins, Villa 59 wins

Notable past results include Villa’s 7-2 home win in 2020 and Liverpool’s 6-0 win at Villa Park in 2016.

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Team News

Liverpool Injury & Suspension Updates

• Possible return: Ryan Gravenberch (ankle)
• Doubtful: Alexander Isak, Curtis Jones (groin)
• Definite absentees: Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni
• Suspended: Amara Nallo

Possible Starting XI:
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Aston Villa Injury & Suspension Updates

• Ineligible: Harvey Elliott (loan)
• Doubtful: Emiliano Buendia (foot)
• Out: Youri Tielemans (calf), Andres Garcia (unspecified)

Possible Starting XI:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Kamara; Malen, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins

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Tactical Notes

• Liverpool: Will look to regain attacking fluidity while stabilizing defense; slotting in rotation players like Szoboszlai and Wirtz is key.
• Aston Villa: High-pressing, counter-attacking strategy under Emery; the side thrives against struggling defenses.

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Premier League Context

• Title race: Arsenal leads by four points; second place to eighth separated by just three points
• Implications: Liverpool must win to halt slide and maintain title contention; Villa seeks Champions League positioning