Arne Slot has made a dream start as Liverpool boss and if his side see off Aston Villa in their latest Premier League test they will head into the international break sitting top of the pile.
Most people had this season down as a campaign of transition after Slot took the reins from long-serving Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp but the Dutchman has hit the ground running.
Last weekend's impressive comeback win over Brighton made it eight victories in 10 Premier League games for Liverpool and they are now 2/1 second favourites for the title after replacing Manchester City at the top of the table.
The Reds are also flying in Europe and a 4-0 midweek thumping of Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield sent them clear in the Champions League standings as the only side to record four successive victories.
Aston Villa had started their Champions League campaign with three impressive wins but the wheels came off with a 1-0 loss at Club Brugge on Wednesday as Tyrone Mings quite literally handed the Belgians a victory.
That made it three defeats in a row in all competitions for Unai Emery's men so the Villa boss will be desperate to atone at Anfield and avoid going into the break on a downer.
How the bookies view it: Rampant Reds to stay on a roll
With Aston Villa in the middle of a slump, they're Betano's 11/2 outsiders for an Anfield victory. Liverpool are the red-hot 2/5 favourites while the draw pays 19/5.
Recent head to head: Liverpool bossing it
Aston Villa have memorably dished out 5-0 and 7-2 beatings to Liverpool in the last five years but those are their only two victories in the last 14 meetings. Liverpool eased to a 3-0 victory over Emery's side at Anfield last term before the teams battled out a 3-3 thriller in the Midlands.
Players to watch: Happy Diaz
Luis Diaz was employed in a more central role against Leverkusen in midweek and that move worked a treat as the Colombian helped himself to a hat-trick. His confidence will be up for this one and Diaz is 13/8 at Bet365 for anytime scorer. The price for an assist is bigger at 17/4 with Unibet.
Slips Tips fancied Jhon Duran for a goal in Brugge but Emery kept the Colombian on the bench again. He might unleash him from the start here in a bid to get Villa out of their slump and the big man is 15/4 at Bet365 for a goal.
Probable line-ups
Liverpool remain without keeper Alisson, while forwards Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa still aren't ready to return. Aston Villa's injury problems have cleared up and they only have Ross Barkley and Matty Cash sidelined.
Liverpool: Kelleher, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Diaz, Nunez, Salah, Gakpo.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Carlos, Konsa, Digne, Torres, McGinn, Tielemans, Onana, Rogers, Duran, Watkins.
Anything else catch the eye?
Aston Villa have had one fewer day to recover from their Champions League match and also had to travel to Belgium while Liverpool were at home. Emery's side also looked a bit leggy in the defeat at Spurs last week so backing the Reds to win the first half could pay off at 10/11 with Bet365. The price increases to 6/5 if you back Liverpool to be winning at half-time and full-time.
Amadou Onana will be looking to impose himself in the midfield battle and the Villa new boy appeals at 2/1 with Bet365 for a fourth card this term.
Villa were quite defensive at Tottenham last weekend and might adopt similar tactics here against the leaders. That makes me think Liverpool could dominate the corner count and backing the Reds at -3 in that handicap pays 59/50 at Unibet.
This English Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa will be played on Nov 9, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Liverpool vs Aston Villa prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
