Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole for live coverage of the Premier League, as Liverpool welcome Aston Villa to Anfield.
The Reds could go as high as 7th with a win today, while the visitors find themselves just one place above the relegation zone
Villa have tasted victory just twice in 13 years at Anfield, with Martin O'Neill being the last man to leave with three points, courtesy of a 3-1 win in September of 2009.
Two successive wins for Brendan Rodgers's men has helped the Reds overcome an indifferent start to their campaign, and a third win in a row would go a long way to proving that they have turned a corner.
Paul Lambert will have been buoyed by his team's 4-1 win over Norwich City in the quarter-final of the League Cup.
You can follow all the action from Anfield as it unfolds below. Please note that kickoff is 3pm.
Good afternoon! Welcome to Sports Mole for coverage of Liverpool's clash with Aston Villa at Anfield.
It's a litmus-test kind of fixture for both teams. Liverpool have struggled against the somewhat weaker teams in recent times, especially at home, whereas Villa need to show more steel in these fixtures away from home. They have been rolled over far too easily in these types of games this season.
Liverpool's 3-2 victory over West Ham United last Sunday will have done wonders for the Reds' confidence. They showed a lot of character to come from behind and snatch a late winner.
Villa have drawn their last two Premier League games and are perched precariously just one place above the drop zone. They are equal on points with 18th-placed Wigan Athletic, but their goal difference is better by two.
Right, team news...
LIVERPOOL: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Downing; Allen, Lucas, Gerrard, Sterling; Shelvey; Suarez
ASTON VILLA: Guzan; Lowton, Baker, Clark, Lichaj; Holman, Westwood, Bannan, Herd; Weimann; Benteke
So Stewart Downing reprises his role at left-back as Jose Enrique continues to struggle with a hamstring injury. Lucas starts once again as he continues to get sharper following his injury layoff. Jonjo Shelvey is expected to play an advanced role from midfield in order to support Luis Suarez, who returns from suspension.
Still no Darren Bent for the Villans. He has a hamstring injury, while Ron Vlaar (calf), who has been excellent since his arrival from the Eredivisie, is another absentee.
It's quite a youthful starting lineup for Villa. Paul Lambert clearly has the future in mind. Fixtures like these will give them plenty of experience. Whether it's good or bad remains to be seen...
Liverpool are on a good run at the moment, having lost just one of their last 11 league games - winning five and drawing five. However, Villa have put a half-decent run of their own together, and are unbeaten in their last four.
On that four-game unbeaten run, Villa have kept three clean sheets. Meanwhile, Liverpool have kept four clean sheets in their last five. And Villa also have the lowest goals total (12) this season, which leads one to believe that they will struggle to blot the Reds' scoresheet. Will defence be on top today?
Christian Benteke is also yet to score away from Villa Park in the Premier League. He will provide Villa's main threat today, supported by Andreas Weimann. Both men scored in the 4-1 victory over Norwich City in midweek.
This isn't the only game Sports Mole bring to you live this afternoon. We also have coverage of Manchester United vs. Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers vs. Fulham - big West London derby, that one.
The referee has just blown the whistle to end the day's early kickoff, which has seen Manchester City emerge 3-1 victors against Newcastle United at St James' Park. Sergio Aguero and Javi Garcia had given City a two-goal lead, before Demba Ba restored hope for the hosts. However, Yaya Toure's goal helped wrap up the points for the reigning champions.
Not only have Villa a poor record at Anfield, but they have a poor record against Liverpool in general. They've beaten the Reds just twice in their last 21 attempts. And who scored the winning goal for Villa against Liverpool in May 2011? Stewart Downing.
In fact, Liverpool have beaten Villa more than they have any other side in the Premier League, with the exception of Newcastle, whom they've also beaten 21 times.
PREDICTION TIME: Well, bearing all those statistics in mind, and the relative inexperience in the Villa ranks, there can be only one outcome, and it's a victory for the Reds... scoreline? Liverpool 2-0 Villa.
I can't see Villa scoring, while Liverpool don't tend to 'run riot'. A safe three points will do Brendan Rodgers just nicely, I'm sure...
It's not long until kickoff now. Time for some final instructions and a bit of motivation. Though if you need any for a game at Anfield, you're probably in the wrong profession.
The players make their way out onto the pitch...
'You'll Never Walk Alone' blasts around Anfield as the fans hold their scarves aloft in customary fashion.
There's going to be a minute's applause in honour of former Liverpool player and manager Phil Taylor, who died at the start of the month aged 95.
Aston Villa get this game underway...
Bannan has the chance to deliver the ball into the box from an early free kick.
Benteke gets his head to it and calls upon Reina to make an early save! The Belgian couldn't get much power on it, but it's an early indication of his aerial prowess.
Gerrard now delivers with a wide free kick, but it's too long for Shelvey at the back post.
Almost an own-goal from Lichaj! It was a great ball from Shelvey that allowed Downing to scamper down the left and deliver a dangerous ball, which nearly wrong-footed the defender. Guzan saved well.
Suarez has the chance to tee up Gerrard just outside the box, but the Uruguayan's pass was just behind the skipper. Chance wasted.
Johnson nearly slips in Suarez, but just over-hits the through ball.
Liverpool are showing plenty of attacking intent. They're getting forward at every opportunity today and look fired up.
Downing is allowed to drift inside and unleash a right-footed shot, but it never looked on target. Struck sweetly, though...
Allen has a dig from 25 yards, but it bobbles harmlessly wide. Johnson did well to surge down the line and create the opening, as slight as it was.
Another brilliant run from Johnson helps win a corner for Liverpool. Pressure.
Gerrard swings the ball in but the referee blows up. The ball had gone out before coming back in. It seems like only a matter of time before Liverpool score. Villa really need to batten down the hatches and weather this storm. Two cliches for the price of one, there.
Sterling now bobs and weaves inside the area, but his cross is just too long for Shelvey and Gerrard. Liverpool retain possession and probe further, but can't find the breakthrough yet.
The one thing Liverpool seem to lack at the moment is killer instinct. Everything up until the final ball has been excellent, so far.
Nearly an opening for Villa! Holman slipped a great ball through for Weimann to run onto. Reina came storming off his line and managed to harry Weimann to the byline before tackling him for a corner. Brilliant work from the Spaniard!
Suarez clips a great ball into Gerrard, but the skipper inadvertently knocks the ball out for a goal kick with his second touch.
CHANCE WASTED! Baker dallies on the ball in defence and is dispossessed by Suarez. The Uruguayan tees up Shelvey, but Clark does enough to distract him and quell the danger. That should have been 1-0 to Liverpool.
The whole of Anfield stands up for a minute's applause for Villa's stricken captain Stiliyan Petrov, who is suffering from acute leukemia.
Liverpool really look up for this. They're closing down with tenacity and springing forward once they have won the ball back.
Sterling nearly releases Suarez but Herd manages to scramble the ball clear.
Downing is being subjected to a few boos from the Villa supporters.
CHANCE! Shelvey knocks Downing's long pass into Suarez's path but Guzan is on hand to stop the Uruguayan! He didn't really catch it cleanly. That would have been a brilliant goal.
GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa (Benteke)
You wouldn't believe it would you? If there was a definition of the term 'against the run of play' then that goal would be an example. Benteke was allowed some space from around 25 yards out and wound up with his right foot. He kept it low and placed it well, forcing Reina to scramble across his goal. The ball cannoned off the post before hitting the net. Villa lead!
That's the Belgian's first Premier League goal away from Villa Park. And it's at the Kop end. Not a bad place to start...
Gerrard plays a lovely ball into Suarez but the Uruguayan finds the angle too acute and fires into the side netting.
OFF THE BAR! Benteke won the header from Guzan's goal kick and it was Johnson's poor back pass that allowed Weimann in. The Austrian lifted the ball over Reina as Anfield collectively drew in breath... but the ball bounced off the bar to plenty of relieved expressions!
Crunching tackle by Baker to deny Sterling on the half-way line! Firm but fair.
Sterling hasn't quite recovered from that challenge. He's walking gingerly in midfield.
Liverpool continue to probe in and around the penalty area. Gerrard, Shelvey and Suarez are the main protagonists.
GOAL! Liverpool 0-2 Aston Villa (Weimann)
Brilliant goal! Weimann and Benteke combine to put Villa 2-0 in front! The Austrian fed Benteke inside the area, and the Belgian returned the ball with a wonderful back heel, allowing Weimann to sweep confidently past Reina. It was a bit too easy though, as the Liverpool defence stood a bit static and failed to track Weimann's run. What a game we have in store!
Liverpool are continuing to pile pressure on the Aston Villa goal however!
Sterling drives the ball into the near post but it's just out of reach of Suarez. Guzan clasps the ball gratefully to his chest.
HALF TIME: Liverpool 0-2 Aston Villa
Wow, what a first half that was. Incredible. Liverpool dominated for more or less the entirety, but it's Villa who lead by two at the break. We're set up for a brilliant second half at Anfield!
You can read Sports Mole's Half-Time Report by clicking here.
Elsewhere in the Premier League:
Man Utd 2-0 Sunderland
Norwich 1-0 Wigan
QPR 0-0 Fulham
Stoke 0-1 Everton
Man Utd 2-0 Sunderland
Norwich 1-0 Wigan
QPR 0-0 Fulham
Stoke 0-1 Everton
As you can imagine, Liverpool dominated first-half possession with 68% to Villa's 32%. They've lacked a definable cutting edge in attack though. I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.
The players emerge from the tunnel ready for the second half.
Liverpool substitution: Joe Cole is going to come on for Jonjo Shelvey.
Liverpool resume play...
CLAIMS FOR A PENALTY! Gerrard swings a corner in and Skrtel cushions a header down for Agger, who looked to be having his shirt pulled by Ciaran Clark. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, but could so easily have been given.
Suarez swivels on the edge of the area and has a go at goal, but Guzan is equal to it.
Skrtel heads Bannan's free kick clear.
GOAL! Liverpool 0-3 Aston Villa (Benteke)
Wonderful individual goal! Cole was dispossessed in midfield and the Belgian glided through the Liverpool defence before slotting past Reina. It was far too easy for the big forward, but he showed great composure in finishing. The Reds have a mountain to climb!
This is quite unbelievable. How Liverpool are 3-0 down I will never know. It's just one of those games, I guess...
Liverpool press forward but are prone to the counter. Villa spring forward and Weimann tests Reina, but the Spaniard handles well. The Villa support are going crazy, loving every minute of this.
There's a real sense of urgency to Liverpool, as you should expect. But Villa are standing firm.
I can't remember another game quite like this. I've seen teams dominate and lose by the odd goal, but never three down at home. The Liverpool fans are still getting behind their team, though.
Suarez is showing signs of frustration. He has a bit of theatrics with Guzan after they both challenged for the ball. Meanwhile, there's activity on the Reds' bench as Jordan Henderson appears to be stripping down.
Suarez nearly slips in Gerrard but Clark just gets a toe to it and Guzan gathers the ball.
Joe Cole tries a volley from 20 yards out but can't get a clean connection. Villa are defending their penalty area very well.
Liverpool substitution: Lucas makes way for Henderson.
Skrtel heads Gerrard's corner wide.
Gerrard wins another corner for Liverpool.
CLAIMS FOR A PENALTY! Johnson's header is blocked by Herd to screams for handball from the Kop! The referee isn't interested!
OFF THE LINE! Suarez drives a wide free kick into the near post and the area is full of Red shirts, but none can find the killer touch! Villa scramble the ball clear!
Agger has a pop from long range, but to no avail. It seems like destiny that Liverpool will not score today.
Johnson and Suarez link up to create a yard of space for the full-back to shoot, but his left-footed effort goes wide.
Aston Villa substitution: Brett Holman will be replaced by Fabian Delph.
Villa are defending in numbers now and it's very congested when Liverpool enter the final third. The Reds just can't find a way through.
Sterling floats a good ball into the box, but once again it's headed clear.
Henderson and Downing both fire balls into the area only to see it cannon off a wall of bright yellow shirts.
Suarez powers a free kick into the box but still there's no way through. Barring an absolute miracle, Villa look to be walking away with the points today.
Liverpool have had 71% of the ball, but it's of little consequence. Slack defending has cost them dearly, as they've been punished for each mistake.
Downing goes route one looking for Suarez but only succeeds in finding Guzan.
Nearly four for Villa! Bannan struck at goal and Weimann nearly turned it in with his head! That wasn't far away at all!
Agger completely miscues a shot from Downing's cut-back. It was a difficult chance in fairness, as it was slightly behind him. Also, taking into account the fact that he's a centre-back.
The Liverpool players like slightly forlorn now. It's strange, because they haven't played badly. It's a funny old game...
Aston Villa substitution: Karim El Ahmadi comes on to replace Barry Bannan.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa (Gerrard)
Well, Liverpool have a consolation goal at least. The captain guided Johnson's shot into the corner of the net. Given the way that they have defended in the second half, it may be a bit harsh on the Villa defence... maybe. But really, it's the least Liverpool deserve.
Suarez's shot is blocked by Clark, and the Uruguayan screams for handball, but his protests just land him in the referee's notebook.
Three minutes of injury time to be played.
Aston Villa substitution: Charles N'Zogbia comes on for Andreas Weimann.
FULL TIME: Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa
Villa extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games with a remarkable victory at Anfield. The Reds will be wondering how they lost 3-1, but Paul Lambert's men thoroughly deserve the three points thanks to some solid second-half defending. That made it extremely difficult for Liverpool as they chased a three-goal deficit. Stunning result.
