Round 23: Liverpool at Anfield

By: irish_steve | January 20th, 2008

This is a massive game for Villa. Anytime we play the “Big 4” it is a special occasion and the boys should be up for it. Villa have gone unbeaten in 6 games in the league and making it 7 against Liverpool would be a great achievement. Beating Liverpool seems a very difficult task but Villa will know that a win will put them above Liverpool in 5th place. Scott Carson will be a big loss in goal. He will have to watch from the stand because of he is on loan from Liverpool. Stuart Taylor will make only his 3rd league start and Liverpool will be looking to take advantage of that. Taylor is a good understudy but all Villa fans would like to have their number 1 keeper playing especially against a team like Liverpool. Gareth Barry is the only other injury worry and we will have to wait till kickoff to see if he is playing. He would be a massive loss in the center of midfield were Gerrard is such a threat.

Unlike Villa, Liverpool’s line-up changes constantly but Rafa is sure to pick his best 11 after seeing Arsenal, United and Chelski all win on Saturday. The main threat for Villa is Torres. He has been playing very well lately and will be a handful for Laursen and Davies. If Villa can contain Torres they will have a great chance of picking up a point. Reo Coker must have a great game in the middle especially if Barry is absent. The pace of Young and Agbonlahor are going to be key for Villa against the Liverpool backline. Liverpool’s major weakness is Hyypia who is extremely slow. If Hyypia leaves the center of the box to go out to the wing that will cause massive problems for Liverpool. Hyypia is brilliant in the air but if you get him in a one on one situation he will be in big trouble. Villa have the ability to score against anyone (4 against Chelski) so I wouldn’t bet on them being shut out. I consider Liverpool to be the worst of the “Big 4” but at Anfield they are so difficult to beat.

My prediction: 2-2
(Villa fans in North America can watch this game on Setanta Sports at 2pm Central Time)