Liverpool’s Premier League title charge continues this weekend as they face a tricky test against Aston Villa.
- Date: 09/11/2024
- Kick-off time: 20:00
- Location: Anfield, Liverpool
The Reds’ first three months of the season have been beyond any reasonable expectations, with Liverpool currently performing as one of the best clubs not only in England but in the whole of Europe. Liverpool are top of the league table with only one defeat in the league, and they appear to be going from strength to strength as the season progresses, with the squad having seamlessly adapted to Arne Slot’s approach.
Slot deserves huge credit for what he’s done with this Liverpool side, which primarily consists of minor tweaks from a gung-ho, “heavy metal” style of football under Jürgen Klopp to a style that still emphasises quick transitions, only in a more controlled manner.
One of the biggest revelations of the season has been the conversion of Ryan Gravenberch from a box-to-box midfield profile to a midfielder whose responsibilities lie in the first phase of play as a traditional number 6. Gravenberch is playing, by some distance, the best football of his career, a career that was looking to be in a fairly precarious position coming into the season.
Attention also needs to be paid to Liverpool’s forwards, several of whom have been excellent. Mohamed Salah has been expectedly fantastic, but Luis Díaz, with nine goals in all competitions, has been unplayable at times, while Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez have played their part too.
Very few people expected Liverpool to be anywhere near title contention but their form, along with Manchester City and Arsenal’s struggles, has completely flipped the narrative on the team, who many people now believe can not only win the Premier League but also compete for the Champions League trophy.
Games against Aston Villa are never easy, but Villa have been struggling of late so there’s a feeling that Liverpool might just be getting Unai Emery's side at the right time.
Aston Villa are currently 6th in the Premier League with points 18 points from ten games. The Midlands club have had a strong start to the season on the whole but are struggling to match the consistency they displayed in the league last season. Last season’s fine campaign saw them secure Champions League football which, while a fine achievement, has thrown a spanner in the works this time around as they look to juggle the added demands of elite European football with another top four push.
Villa are by no means the first club to struggle with this balance, and while they’ve done a solid job so far, there have been some signs in recent weeks that the hardest work may yet be to come.
The Premier League landscape is currently looking more competitive than last season, and while Villa strengthened their squad impressively in the summer, it feels as though they’re still at a relatively similar level to what they were last season given the degree to which the teams around them have improved.
There’s plenty to marvel at in the way of individual performances, though, with the development of Morgan Rogers and Jhon Durán proving to be exceptionally exciting features of the season, while new signing Amadou Onana has also proven to be a fine addition to the team.
However, there are still a few question marks over what Villa can achieve this season. On their day, they’re one of the best teams in the league, but consistency is key and whether or not they can find a way to maintain their level across two competitions will ultimately dictate whether or not they can crack the top four for a second season on the bounce.
Premier League 
