Image copyright: Getty Images
2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 17
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Villa Park
Birmingham, England
Monday, 26 December 2022
Kick-off is at 19h30
Liverpool will be looking to get amongst the European places when they face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Boxing Day.
The Reds were disappointing in the first half of the Premier League season as they won just six of their opening 14 matches to fall way behind in the title race.
Jurgen Klopp's side went into the World Cup break a massive 15 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal in sixth position and they'll be targeting a huge improvement when the campaign resumes on Monday, December 26.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Seven of Klopp's first-team squad were on international duty at the 2022 World Cup and the German tactician is hoping to have the majority of those players back for the clash with Villa.
"Hendo [Jordan Henderson] is already training here. Virg [Virgil van Dijk] is training here but I don't think we will try that," Klopp said.
"Hendo we will see, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] we will see. But this group worked now together for nearly two weeks and we made a real step and that's cool. I don't know in this moment.
"I hope we all get through it and we all know in England, and in Europe in general, there's kind of a virus going around, so we hope we can stay out of that."
The Villans won their last two games in November against Manchester United (3-1) and Brighton (2-1) to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
It was a good start to Unai Emery's tenure after he replaced Steven Gerrard at the helm on November 1, with the Liverpool icon having been sacked on October 20 following a poor run of results.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Villa are just one point outside the top 10 in 12th spot and Emery admits the back-to-back victories has given his players a welcome confidence boost going into the festive period.
"The players were feeling like they were bottom of the Premier League and two big victories have given us confidence to achieve the next position, looking up," the Spaniard said.
"I think the confidence is coming for each player - that's what results give you. Our reaction was amazing and I'm so proud of them."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Aston Villa - 1
Liverpool - 4
Draws - 0
Stand to win our grand prize of a brand-new car
Every bet you place from the Beat the Odds page will either earn or lose you points on the overall leaderboard. Top the leaderboard at the end of the season, and you’ll stand out as our grand prize winner of a brand-new Renault Kwid.
Sign up at Betway and enjoy solid action and heart-racing thrills when you bet on soccer leagues such as the Spanish La Liga, the English Premier League, the Italian Serie A and many more
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.