An under-fire Brendan Rodgers will watch his Liverpool side take on Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams were victorious in the League Cup in midweek, but the need for a return to form in the Premier League is clear for Rodgers and Tim Sherwood this weekend.
Liverpool
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Rodgers leading Liverpool to the brink of winning the Premier League title is a distant memory. Since that dramatic finish to the 2013-14 season, the pressure has only grown on the Northern Irishman as he continues his battle to silence the critics.
His doubters are now louder than at any other time in his reign as he bids to end a run of four league matches without a win when Villa visit Merseyside on Saturday afternoon, and the rumours suggest that he may not be given many more opportunities to prove his worth to the club.
A League Cup third-round tie against Carlisle United ended with celebrations in the Kop, but it was certainly not a result which suggests that a return to top form is around the corner as Liverpool needed penalties to finally edge past League Two opposition.
The performance was quickly followed by more criticism directed at Rodgers, and reports on Thursday claimed that club owners Fenway Sports Group were split in the debate about the manager's future when members of the board met to discuss their recent struggles.
Perhaps even more of a concern for Rodgers is the news that Jurgen Klopp is reportedly ready to return to management and is also keen on a move to the Premier League, but with the club currently distancing themselves from the rumours, it appears that the Liverpool boss will get at least one more chance to improve the fortunes of his side.
After starting the season with successive wins, Liverpool have failed to win any of their last six games in all competitions within 90 minutes and they will be expected to take charge of the situation on home soil this Saturday.
The club's passionate fans are certain to rally behind the players at the weekend, but with a potential challenge for Champions League qualification looking unlikely, another disappointing result would see the pressure grow and could put Rodgers on course for his last meeting with the American owners.
Recent form: WWDLLD
Recent form (all competitions): DLLDDW
Aston Villa
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Much like Saturday's opponents, Villa are searching for an injection of life into their season after some disappointing performances from Sherwood's side in recent weeks.
Rudy Gestede ensured it was a fine start to the new campaign when he headed his side to victory on the opening day against Bournemouth, but Villa have collected just one point since that win and concerns about another relegation battle are quickly growing.
Sherwood's success in steering the club clear of the bottom three last season was met with delight from the fans, and after a busy summer recruiting new players, the former Tottenham Hotspur boss will be fully aware that the squad was expected to kick on in this campaign.
However, keeping Villa in the league for another year must remain the priority for all associated with the club, despite it still being clear that their frustrated supporters would love to be setting higher targets.
A week that included back-to-back Midlands derbies produced mixed results for Villa as they recovered from last weekend's 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion by beating Birmingham City by the same scoreline to reach the fourth round of the League Cup.
Villa will meet Southampton in the next round, but the focus remains on league points as Sherwood looks to inspire the players to a run of results which would calm fears that the club are candidates for the drop once again.
Recent form: WLLDLL
Recent form (all competitions): WWDLLW
Team News
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Christian Benteke will miss the chance to come up against the club he left in the summer after the Liverpool striker was ruled out for two weeks with a hamstring injury.
The Belgian's absence should allow Danny Ings to keep his place in the side after scoring twice in the past week, and he is likely to be joined in attack by Daniel Sturridge, who was rested in midweek.
Jordon Ibe is pushing for a recall and Philippe Coutinho is expected to return to the starting lineup, but much could depend on whether Rodgers plays four at the back or sticks with three central defenders.
Sherwood faces a selection headache in defence after he took Joleon Lescott off at half time against Birmingham in midweek, with Ciaran Clark looking set to partner Micah Richards.
Jack Grealish's impressive display from the bench in the derby win should see him return to the side, while Jordan Ayew could also earn a start.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez, Lucas, Milner, Coutinho, Ibe, Sturridge, Ings
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Clark, Amavi, Westwood, Grealish, Veretout, Ayew, Sinclair, Gestede
Head To Head
Benteke and Fabian Delph were the Villa heroes in the last meeting between the two sides as they both scored in the FA Cup semi-final triumph before leaving the club in the summer.
Villa have only managed to win one of the last five league meetings, but they should take confidence from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last four trips to Anfield.
David N'Gog, Ryan Babel and Maxi Rodriguez were on target in Liverpool's last home win over Villa in December 2010.
We say: Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool's performances this season suggest that Villa will be given opportunities to pile the pressure on Rodgers this weekend, but the hosts will be desperate to get back to their best. It is unlikely to be a routine afternoon but Liverpool may have just enough to collect all three points.
Callum Mulvihill
