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Liverpool are winless in four in all competitions, and were dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of West Ham United in Tuesday's replay at Upton Park. Suffice to say, new manager Jürgen Klopp's honeymoon period was over, and his side have slumped to below Merseyside rivals Everton in the Premier League table. However, if ever there was a golden opportunity for them to get back to winning ways, this weekend's match away at Aston Villa is it.
Despite last weekend's 2-0 victory over Norwich City, Rémi Garde's Midlanders are in a dire situation, eight points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table. Two of their three Premier League wins this season have come in their last five matches, but it still seems much too little and much too late for them to recover. Despite home advantage, it'd be a surprise if they didn't succumb to another defeat on Sunday.
Key player: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
Liverpool attacker Philippe Coutinho has been struggling with injury over the last few weeks, but the young Brazilian should be fit to start against Villa. Before he was sidelined, there were signs of a very promising attacking partnership being struck up with his compatriot Roberto Firmino; manager Klopp will doubtless be hoping Coutinho's brief absence won't have caused any setback.
Recent history
Recent meetings between these sides have been surprisingly tight. Of their last four clashes in all competitions, they've both won two. Liverpool won 2-0 on their last visit to Villa Park, but how times change: on the dugout that day were Paul Lambert and Brendan Rodgers, whose attackers Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert scored the goals. All four have now departed for pastures new.
Aston Villa injuries and suspensions
Out: Jordan Amavi (knee); Adama Traoré (foot); Alan Hutton, Carlos Sánchez, Rudy Gestede (hamstring); Libor Kozák, Jack Grealish (ankle/foot); Jordan Ayew (suspended). In doubt: None.
Liverpool injuries and suspensions
Out: Joe Gomez, Danny Ings (knee); Jordan Rossiter, Martin Škrtel, Joe Allen, Dejan Lovren (hamstring); Steven Caulker (back). In doubt: None.
Both of these sides have fairly lengthy injury lists. Among Villa's absentees are regular first-teamers Amavi, Sánchez and Grealish, while Ayew is serving a suspension. Liverpool, meanwhile, will be without a few of their familiar faces, including centre-backs Škrtel and Lovren, and midfielder Allen. January signing Caulker is already sidelined -- he's got a back problem.
Match date/time: Sunday, 9:05 a.m. ET, 2:05 p.m. local
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
TV: NBCSN (US - English); NBC Universo (US - Spanish); TSN (Canada); Sky Sports 1/HD (UK)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (US - English); NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (US - Spanish); Sky Go (UK)