The gap between first and second in the Premier League table could be a staggering 10 points by the close of play on Wednesday night, if Liverpool can get the better of Aston Villa.
Arne Slot's men broke the 60-point barrier over the weekend, eking out a nervy 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, while their hosts had to accept a 1-1 draw with lowly Ipswich Town.
Match preview
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Likely still feeling the effects of their midweek Merseyside derby mayhem - both physically and psychologically - Liverpool appeared to be coasting to victory over Wolves at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, only to nearly throw their hard work down the drain in the second half.
Luis Diaz's unorthodox opener off his midriff preceded Mohamed Salah's nonchalant penalty, although the league leaders were then guilty of sloppy pass after sloppy pass in the second half, when Matheus Cunha's stunning 20-yard strike was just reward for Wolves' plucky efforts.
However, there would be no James Tarkowski moment for Vitor Pereira's men as Liverpool clung on for a priceless three points, despite not mustering a single shot on target in the second 45, the first time that has happened for the Reds in a Premier League half at Anfield since records began.
Nevertheless, Slot's shot-shy men have now re-established their seven-point buffer over a shot-shy Arsenal, who do not return to action until Saturday, meaning that their advantage will stretch into the double figures with a 19th top-flight win of the season on Wednesday.
The trip to the West Midlands kicks off a daunting three-match sequence between now and the end of the month for Liverpool, though, as their title mettle will also be tested in Sunday's trip to Manchester City and the visit of Newcastle United to Anfield on February 26.
For the time being, the Reds' sole goal is to right some recent wrongs on the road, where they have only won two of their last seven matches across all competitions; the Premier League picture makes for more pleasant reading, though, as they are still unbeaten away from home in the 2024-25 top flight.
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Speaking of lengthy unbeaten runs, Aston Villa stretched their sequence without defeat at Villa Park to 12 matches in all competitions at the weekend, but a measly one point against 10-man Ipswich may have felt like a loss for Unai Emery and co.
The die was seemingly cast when Axel Tuanzebe was made to take the walk of shame, but the Tractor Boys defied the odds to take the lead through Liam Delap, before Ollie Watkins was in the right place at the right time to tap home after Marcus Rashford's free kick struck the woodwork.
Time and time again, Villa were thwarted by inspired Ipswich debutant Alex Palmer in between the sticks, and their top-four hopes have now diminished further; Emery's ninth-placed crop are six points below Manchester City in the final Champions League position.
Of course, Villa could still punch their ticket to next season's European Cup by winning the current edition, but an underwhelming run of just two wins from seven in all tournaments is not befitting of continental champions, nor is their failure to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight at home.
Furthermore, November's 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield extended Villa's winless run versus the Reds to nine matches since their unforgettable 7-2 annihilation in 2020, the game that took place just a few hours before the infamous David Coote video was recorded.
Team News
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After taking a heavy knock during the four-goal stalemate with Everton, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo was absent from the squad for the win over Wolves, and Slot has conceded that the attacker is likely to sit this one out as well.
Two men who will also not be in contention for the midweek fixture are Tyler Morton (shoulder) and Joe Gomez (hamstring), but Curtis Jones is back from a ban and could now come in for Dominik Szoboszlai as Slot manages a particularly hectic two weeks.
Darwin Nunez and Kostas Tsimikas may also be the beneficiaries of some rotation too, but there should be no respite for hotshot Salah; the 32-year-old's next assist away from home in the Premier League will be his 10th of the season, a figure only Cesc Fabregas and Muzzy Izzet have previously achieved in a single campaign in the competition.
As for the hosts, Emery's defensive crisis is showing no signs of abating, as Boubacar Kamara came off just 16 minutes into the draw with Ipswich and is now unavailable for the time being.
Pau Torres (ankle), Ross Barkley (calf) and Amadou Onana (thigh) welcome Kamara into the infirmary, while , Ezri Konsa (unspecified), Matty Cash (unspecified) and Leon Bailey will all need late fitness tests.
Thankfully for the Spaniard, Tyrone Mings has recovered from a minor knee problem and could slot in for Kamara at the back, while a first start should await Manchester United loanee Rashford after another positive cameo off the bench.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Garcia, Mings, Disasi, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn; Ramsey, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez
We say: Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
Had Ipswich new boy Palmer not had the Premier League debut of his life, Villa would be rejoicing in another win right now, but Emery's men were also guilty of not putting their chances away over the weekend.
However, the Lions are always a force to be reckoned with on home turf, and taking into account the physical and mental toll that the last week has taken on Liverpool, we can envisage Slot's men having to accept just the one point on Wednesday, one that may just open the door for Arsenal ever so slightly.
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Ben Knapton
