Liverpool v Aston Villa: Predicted lineups as Steven Gerrard makes long awaited return to Anfield

Steven Gerrard is set to make a return to Anfield for the first time this Saturday (December 11) since he left in 2015 to join La Galaxy, as his Aston Villa side face Liverpool at Anfield.

The former Liverpool midfielder has no new fresh injury concerns as his side looks to build on their recent good form, which has seen them win 2 out of his first three games as Villa boss.

Gerrard replaced former manager Dean Smith in early November, following a run of five straight defeats, with Smith’s last game in charge of Villa being a 1-0 loss away at Aston Villa.

The ex-Rangers boss will most likely stick with same back four that has yielded good results recently, Matty Cash has impressed in right-back, whilst Ezri Konsa has surprisingly found form in front of goal, as he netted a brace against Leicester at the weekend.

Tyrone Mings and Ashley Young will continue their stay in the side, with Mings and Konsa building a solid partnership at the back together.

Douglas Luiz will be the shield in front of the three, giving John McGinn and Marvelous Nakamba more freedom going forward.

Emerging talent Jacob Ramsey, Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendia could be the front three this weekend, December 11.

Luiz will have to be more discplined to try and contain Liverpool’s explosive front three.

Buendia has been largely underwhelming since his big money move from Norwich, it seems as if Villa are trying to find his best position in the team, which has yet to be determined. Villa could switch to a narrow diamond to get him in a more creative role in the left, or he could start to mimic Jack Grealish’s role at Villa, cutting in from the left.

Here’s how Aston Villa could lineup:

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

Meanwhile Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp escaped his sides narrow win in Milan with no injuries, meaning we could see the same lineup as the one that was deployed as Divock Origi scored deep into injury time to secure three vital points away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He bemoaned the hectic schedule at Christmas, a time when teams up and down the countries sometimes face 2 games in 3 days, yet fielded a strong team away at AC Milan, in what was an essentially pointless game, as Liverpool had already secured top spot.

Here’s how Liverpool could lineup:

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