Since their shock loss to Nottingham Forest in September, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have been in phenomenal form, unbeaten in their proceeding 12 games, with 11 victories in that time.

The only time they failed to win was against Arsenal at the Emirates – a much tougher matchup than this.

The Reds currently sit top of the Premier League, having been able to capitalise on Arsenal and Man City dropping points last weekend by completing a comeback against Brighton. This will be Liverpool’s third successive match at Anfield after cruising past Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Aston Villa find themselves winless in their last four, coming into this game off the back of three straight losses to Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Club Brugge.

Morgan Rogers has been a standout performer for Aston Villa this season, slotting in seamlessly into an advanced role behind Ollie Watkins.

Rogers’ strength lies in his dribbling ability, he is strong on the ball and able to carry his side up the field. That will be important at Anfield, as Villa will often find themselves in their defensive half in need of relieving some pressure.

Rogers has drawn a foul in 12 out of 14 games in all competitions this season, including two fouls drawn against Spurs, Man Utd and Bayern Munich – other games where Aston Villa saw less of the ball than average.

He will duel against the Liverpool midfield, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, who are contributing 1.70, 1.36 and 1.42 fouls per 90 in all competitions this season.

Amadou Onana is averaging 1.41 fouls per 90 for Aston Villa this season, operating in the heart of midfield. He has managed two or more fouls in just four out of 13 starts this campaign, but there is reason to believe his foul prices hold value for Saturday evening.

Onana played the full 90 against Spurs, and was essential in that midfield from a defensive standpoint. He contested 14 ground duels, and four aerial duels – resulting in five fouls. His physicality will be equally as important against a side like Liverpool.

The Belgian played the full 90 in that game, and is set for a similar role at Anfield. Having been afforded a full rest midweek against Club Brugge, and with Ross Barkey out with injury, a high expected minutes is in order.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been a persistent fouler in the Liverpool midfield under Arne Slot, blown for an infringement in 11 of his 12 starts in all competitions so far.

That includes four fouls in his last two starts – both against Brighton.
He seems a much more willing presser this term, leading from the front. Because of that, he often commits quite a few ‘soft’ fouls.

He draws an ideal matchup to extend his foul streak against Aston Villa, who rank fourth in the league for total fouls drawn this season. He should find duels against the likes of Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Amadou Onana – who are averaging 1.61, 1.90 and 1.41 fouls drawn per 90 in all competitions, respectively.

Despite doubts surrounding Mo Salah over his role under the new manager, the Egyptian has been in exceptional form this season, registering 12 goals and assists in the Premier League, putting him on track for his most prolific campaign to date.

In all competitions, Salah has managed a combined 18 goals and assists this season, the most of any Liverpool player – that includes picking up a goal or assist in 11 out of 14 starts so far.

Most recently, he managed two assists against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Salah got on the scoresheet last time he faced Aston Villa at Anfield, as the Reds ran out 3-0 winners in that match, and it’d be no surprise to see him heavily involved again here.

Playing behind Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers is averaging 2.19 shots per 90 this season in all competitions for Aston Villa, registering two or more shots in ten out of 14 starts.

That includes hitting two shots against Arsenal, Man Utd and Spurs. For the latter game, Rogers managed to get on the scoresheet, despite being withdrawn after 69 minutes with an injury.

However, he returned to start against Club Brugge midweek, so should be good to go against Liverpool. He typically plays 90 minutes in big games, which would be ideal here.

Liverpool are much tighter defensively under Arne Slot, but have still been conceding some notable shot counts. Leverkusen managed 12 efforts midweek, while Brighton also accumulated 13 shots in their most recent league game.

Having missed out midweek against Leverkusen, Darwin Nunez is expected to lead the line for Liverpool on Saturday evening. He has started the last two league games for the Reds, following an injury sustained by Diogo Jota.

The Uruguayan has played 60 minutes or more in just seven games this season, although has committed two or more fouls in five of those games.

He has shown a real willingness to press strongly from the front, acting as the first line of defence, leading to an average of 2.12 fouls per 90, one of the highest values in the squad.

Nunez should find duels against Ezri Konsa at Anfield, who has drawn the most free-kicks for Aston Villa this season, averaging 1.73 per 90.

Youri Tielemans is not too far behind his centre back teammate in terms of fouls drawn, as he is averaging 1.61 fouls drawn per 90. He has been a mainstay in the midfield for Villa so far, and has started every Premier League game this campaign.

The midfielder has also drawn at least one foul in every game, including two or more fouls drawn in four out of five away matches.

Tielemans sees a lot of the ball for his side, which sees him contest ample duels. Against a Liverpool side ranking eighth in the league for total fouls committed, he draws an ideal matchup, especially as the majority of those fouls are committed by the Liverpool midfield.