da bet7： Liverpool and Aston Villa’s meetings in recent seasons have been fascinating affairs, with the Reds often struggling against their Midlands foes despite both clubs having been operating in different areas of the Premier League table.
da betcris： And this term’s instalment at Anfield looks to be another promising one with both clubs back fresh from the international break. Villa are currently unbeaten on seven points after three games and will travel to Merseyside full of confidence to take on Brendan Rodgers’ side who signed off before the mini hiatus with a thumping 3-0 victory at Tottenham.
Something has to give, right? So here are three players from both XIs who could have a big influence on the result…
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CLICK ON RAHEEM STERLING TO REVEAL THE SIX
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Mario Balotelli
Balotelli may have missed a few clear-cut chances for Liverpool last time out at Spurs, but there’s no doubting that the madcap Italian will find his form in the red shirt. While the majority of his Liverpool team-mates travelled away for the international break, the 24-year-old – dropped from the Azzurri’s squad – stayed on Merseyside and looks to have used the added time to build on his fitness and get match sharp.
With Daniel Sturridge a doubt for the clash, Balotelli could be the focal point of a front three for Brendan Rodgers, which may see him receive decent service from the likes of Raheem Sterlin, Lazar Markovic, Philippe Coutinho or even Adam Lallana.
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Ron Vlaar
With Liverpool a free-flowing attacking force at Anfield, ‘Concrete Ron’ will need to be at his dominant best at the heart of Villa’s defence. The big Dutchman was excellent at the World Cup and has impressed in the Premier League so far, but he will face a big test against the enigmatic Balotelli and the drifting talent that is Raheem Sterling.
Vlaar may not have the ability on his own to nullify Liverpool’s attacking threats, but his never say die attitude could inspire his team-mates to wade in help man the gates.
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Raheem Sterling
The teenage prodigy has emerged as one of the world’s best young footballers in 2014, drifting in from a peripheral figure at Anfield to one of Liverpool and England’s key performers.
A tactical shift enforced by Daniel Sturridge’s injury woes may see Sterling shifted from his new ‘Number 10’ role, but he has shown that he can be just as much of a threat from wide on the left or right flank. The 19-year-old already has two goals in three Premier League games this term and will be determined to add to his tally.
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Andreas Weimann
Another attacker with a two in three ratio so far this term is Weimann. The Austrian ace has summed up all that’s been good about the Villains in recent weeks, with his flea-like darting runs and electric movement having troubled opposition defences.
The 23-year-old has netted twice in his last two league trips to Anfield, making him a threat that Brendan Rodgers must cater for this time around.
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Dejan Lovren
Despite having seen his goalkeeper beaten four times in three games, Lovren has been impressive since his move to Liverpool from Southampton. The big Croatian has been tasked with commanding the Reds’ backline after last season’s horror show in terms of goals conceded, and a promising partnership with Mamadou Sakho looks to have been born following the Merseysiders’ clean sheet at Spurs.
Lovren will need to be at his best to nullify Villa’s intelligent attacking set-up and he cannot afford any lapses in concentration.
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Charles N’Zogbia
Back in from the cold, N’Zogbia has started all three of Villa’s Premier League clashes so far, and looks to be returning to the sort of form he showed while at Wigan. The Frenchman may blow hot and cold, yet his pace and flair will be a threat to Liverpool’s full-backs on both sides – with the 28-year-old able to drift to either flank.
One problem is N’Zogbia’s fitness – he has not played a full 90 in his three aforementioned outings – but he could damage Liverpool before an almost inevitable second half trip to the bench.
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