Liverpool v Aston Villa: Five players to watch out for as Steven Gerrard heads back to Anfield

The main talking point from the upcoming round of fixtures in the Premier League this weekend will be Steven Gerrard returning to Anfield as his Aston Villa side take on Liverpool.

Both sides come into the game on good form, and on the back of good wins in the league.

Aston Villa came back from behind the beat Leicester 2-1 at Villa Park, whilst Liverpool scored a last minute winner at Molineux, as they beat Wolves 1-0.

Here’s five players to look out for as the two sides meet at Anfield this weekend.

5 - Jacob Ramsey

Ramsey has been an surprise package this season. The midfielder is only 20 years and has been deployed as a more attacking player by Steven Gerrard. After having a goal that was - widely regarded - as being wrongfully disallowed, the Villa academy graduate has impressed all this season and is thought of very highly at Villa. This Saturday he will most likely come up against the formidable Fabinho, and will also line up against Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold as he drifts from wing to wing.

4 - Douglas Luiz

A much more defensive player than Ramsey is, Luiz will be tested more this weekend than any other game, with the exception being Manchester City. Acting as a shield in front of the back four, the attack of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota have almost always proven too strong for most Premier League defences, so his role this weekend becomes extra important.

3 - Ezri Konsa

Again, a surprise emergence this season, but not in the traditional sense. The centre-back has found his Midas touch in front of goal this season. The former Brentford player has formed a great partnership with Tyrone Mings, and scored both of Aston Villa’s goals against Leicester last Saturday.

2 - Diogo Jota

The former Wolves player has been a revelation for Liverpool and looks a bargain at £40 million. At Wolves, he was deployed as a winger, but at Liverpool, he is more of a central man, in between Mane and Salah. He has dislodged the legendary trio of Mane, Salah and Roberto Firmino and has been on top form this season, and will be a handful for any defence.

1 - Mohamed Salah

The best player in the world right now? Widely regarded as just that, Salah is on red hot form this season. Dubbed ‘The Egyptian King’ by many, he tops the Premier League charts for pretty much everything, except goalkeeping and defending stats. Top of the charts for both scoring and assisting, he has been almost impossible to stop this season.