Liverpool’s expected starting line-up for Aston Villa - with one big decision to make in defence

Liverpool will welcome back club legend Steven Gerrard to Anfield this weekend as his Aston Villa side travel to Merseyside in the Premier League.

This is the former Liverpool captain’s first involvement in a professional capacity since he left for MLS side LA Galaxy in 2015.

As soon as Gerrard’s appointment at Villa was announced, this is the game everyone looked forward to.

The Scouser joined the Reds in 1989, when he was just nine years old, and went on the enjoy a glittering career in Merseyside, winning two FA Cups, three league cups, one Community Shield, one UEFA Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and of course, winning the Champions League in THAT game in Istanbul, a game that forever cemented Gerrard’s place as a cult hero at Anfield.

Despite never winning the Premier League at Liverpool, Gerrard insists he had no regrets turning down Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2005, when the Portuguese manager pursued him for months.

Despite the noise all being about Gerrard at the weekend, Liverpool will need to show their former captain no respect if they’re to keep up their title push going.

The club sit second in the Premier League, one point behind table toppers Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp bemoaned the congested fixture schedule in the Premier League, and opted to field a slightly weaker side at the San Siro in midweek, as Liverpool became the first English club to win every single Champions League group game.

Klopp’s decision to rest some his stars means he can boast a fully fit squad. Trent Alexander Arnold, Fabino, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Thiago and Diogo Jota are all expected to make a return to the squad, whilst Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who both started the mid-week win against AC Milan were both hooked after 64 minutes, and both escaped unscathed.

It’s unclear whether Klopp will revert back to Joel Matip, or stick with summer signing Ibrahima Konate, who managed to keep veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic quiet, with the youngsters performance earning praise from the Swede.

Predicted line-ups:

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Mane, Jota, Salah.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young, Luiz, Nakamba, McGinn, Buendia, Ramsey, Watkins.

What time is the kick off, and where can I watch it?

The date of the match is Saturday, 11 December, with the kick off at 15:00.

Due to the kick off time, the game will not be broadcast in the UK, but can be watched for Sky customers on the free Sky Sports Score Centre app, as well as key highlights being shown and analysed on Match Of The Day, which airs on BBC One, Saturday night.

Head to head record:

Liverpool wins: 98

Draws: 40

Aston Villa wins: 59