A clash of two teams on contrasting trajectories is set to unfold at Anfield this Saturday, November 1, 2025, as the struggling champions, Liverpool, host the in-form Aston Villa. The Reds, reeling from a dramatic slump, find themselves level on 15 points with Villa, separated only by goal difference. This match is more than just three points; it’s a test of character for Arne Slot’s men and an opportunity for Unai Emery’s side to solidify their resurgence.
The 2025/26 Premier League season has taken a surprising turn for these two clubs. Liverpool, who started the campaign with five consecutive wins, have since suffered four straight league defeats—a shocking reversal of fortune for the reigning champions. Aston Villa, conversely, have shaken off a difficult start to put together an impressive four-game winning streak, including notable victories over Tottenham and the mighty Manchester City.
This match represents a pivotal moment for both teams. For Liverpool, it’s a chance to stop the bleeding and rediscover their winning form before their season spirals further out of control. For Villa, it’s an opportunity to achieve a remarkable double by beating both Liverpool and Manchester City in consecutive games—a feat not accomplished since Leicester City’s title-winning campaign in 2016.
The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports, with coverage beginning at 7pm GMT ahead of the 8pm kick-off at Anfield.
Liverpool’s Struggles
Liverpool’s dramatic slide has been one of the Premier League’s biggest talking points. The statistics are stark: the Reds have lost six of their last seven games across all competitions, including their recent 3-0 EFL Cup defeat to Crystal Palace where manager Arne Slot made ten changes to his lineup. This dismal run marks only the second time in 70 years that Liverpool have lost six of seven matches.
The team’s defensive vulnerabilities have been particularly alarming. Liverpool have conceded 14 goals in their opening nine games—one of the worst records among the top ten sides—and have managed only two clean sheets all season. Opponents have identified a clear tactical vulnerability, with Liverpool facing 571 long passes this season, the highest number any Premier League side has faced.
Perhaps most concerning is the historical precedent Liverpool are facing. Should they lose against Villa, it would mark their fifth consecutive league defeat—the first time since September 1953 that the club has suffered such a run, and an unfortunate distinction that only seven reigning champions have experienced in top-flight history.
Aston Villa’s Resurgence
Under Unai Emery’s guidance, Aston Villa have transformed into a formidable force after a slow start to the season. Their current six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League is the division’s second-longest active streak, behind only Bournemouth. Their four consecutive wins include impressive victories over Tottenham and a statement 1-0 triumph against Manchester City.
While Villa’s defense has been resolute, they have encountered their own challenges in front of goal. With just nine goals scored this season, only the Premier League’s bottom three clubs have found the net fewer times. However, they have been particularly effective from distance, scoring five goals from outside the box—the second-highest tally in the league, with Matty Cash responsible for two of those efforts.
Villa’s tactical discipline and organization under Emery have made them a difficult opponent for any team, and they will travel to Anfield with genuine belief that they can secure a momentous victory.
Despite their contrasting current forms, historical data heavily favors Liverpool in this fixture. The Reds have dominated this matchup in recent years, winning 11 and losing just one of their last 15 Premier League meetings with Aston Villa. That solitary defeat was the memorable 7-2 thrashing at Villa Park in October 2020—a result that remains an aberration rather than the norm in this rivalry.
At Anfield, Liverpool’s dominance is even more pronounced. They have won five of their last six matches against Villa at home, and are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League encounters with Villa at their famous ground. In the corresponding fixture last season, Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory with Mohamed Salah clinching the win in the 84th minute.
Overall, in the long history between these clubs, Liverpool have claimed 103 victories to Villa’s 59, with 43 matches ending drawn.
Key Historical Encounters
Liverpool Team News
Manager Arne Slot is expected to recall numerous key players who were rested for the midweek EFL Cup defeat to Crystal Palace. Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai should all return to the starting lineup.
The injury situation remains concerning for the Reds. Ryan Gravenberch is racing to be available after missing the last three games with a twisted ankle. Alexander Isak, Curtis Jones, and first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker are all doubtful, with Slot likely to provide a definitive update in his pre-match press conference. Long-term absentee Giovanni Leoni remains unavailable, as does Jeremie Frimpong.
Slot experimented with a three-central-defender formation against Palace, and it remains to be seen if he will persist with a formation change to address Liverpool’s defensive issues.
Aston Villa Team News
Villa will be without on-loan midfielder Harvey Elliott due to Premier League rules preventing him from playing against his parent club. They also have several injury concerns, with Emiliano Buendía, Andrés Garcia, and Youri Tielemans expected to miss the trip to Anfield.
The role of Jadon Sancho remains uncertain after his visible reaction to being substituted in the win over Manchester City. Matty Cash, who has started all nine league matches this season and has two goals from distance, is almost certain to feature.
Predicted Lineups
Based on available information and team news, here’s how both teams could line up:
Liverpool Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitiké.
Aston Villa Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Guessand, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins.
Mohamed Salah vs Matty Cash
The battle between Liverpool’s talisman and Villa’s attacking right-back could be decisive. Salah has an exceptional record against Villa, having scored or assisted in all six of his appearances against them at Anfield. He’s also just one goal contribution away from breaking the Premier League record for most goal contributions for a single club, currently held by Wayne Rooney at Manchester United. However, Cash has proven dangerous going forward and has two goals from outside the box this season.
Midfield Battle
The center of the park will feature a fascinating contest between Liverpool’s creative forces—likely Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister—and Villa’s combative duo of Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana. This area could determine which team controls the tempo of the game.
Set-Piece Vulnerability
Liverpool’s well-documented struggles defending set-pieces could be exploited by Villa’s organized attacking schemes. Villa will likely look to test this Liverpool weakness at every opportunity.
Betting Odds and Markets
According to Betfair, the match odds are as follows:
These odds reflect Liverpool’s status as favorites despite their poor form, largely due to their strong historical record at Anfield and the expected return of key players.
Match Prediction
This is arguably one of the most challenging Liverpool-Villa matches to predict in recent memory. The conflict between Liverpool’s historical dominance at Anfield and their current disastrous form creates significant uncertainty.
The Opta supercomputer gives Liverpool a 56.9% chance of victory, with a draw at 22.3% and a Villa win at 20.8%. However, as the analysis notes, “Liverpool will have been favourites for many of their recent defeats, maybe all of them”.
Considering all factors—Liverpool’s desperate need for points, their strong record against Villa at home, and the return of key players—a score draw seems a plausible outcome. Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Aston Villa. This result would extend Liverpool’s winless run but stop the losing streak, while Villa would likely consider a point at Anfield a respectable result.
Betting Tips
For those considering wagers on this match, here are several betting tips based on the analysis:
The stage is set for a compelling Premier League encounter at Anfield that pits historical dominance against current form. Liverpool, backed into a corner by their alarming slump, face a Villa side brimming with confidence after their victory over Manchester City.
For Liverpool, this match represents more than just three points—it’s an opportunity to avoid an unwanted place in the history books and begin their redemption arc. For Aston Villa, it’s a chance to prove their recent results are no fluke and that they truly belong among the Premier League’s elite.
While the smart money might be on a high-scoring draw, the only certainty is that both teams will give everything in a match that could significantly shape the early trajectory of their seasons. The Anfield atmosphere, the return of key players, and Villa’s impressive resilience all point toward a memorable encounter that neither sets of fans will want to miss.
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