Liverpool eyeing return to winning ways against Gerard
Houllier's new side
The clash between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa will be significant for more than just one reason. Of course both are having seasons where they have flattered to deceive, failed to deliver, seasons where they have underachieved and are yet to take off. So,
both teams will be desperate for the points as Liverpool are currently 11th in the league table with 19 points from 15 games while Aston Villa occupy 16th spot with 17 points from 15 games. A win for Villa would see them leapfrog their opponents into 10th
place. While Liverpool have a chance to make up ground on the spots for Europe as if they win they will climb up to seventh ahead of Stoke City.
But all that aside, this game also marks the return of an Anfield favourite. Gerard Houllier spent six years at the helm of the Anfield club, bringing in six trophies with him. Gerard Houllier was responsible for the major Liverpool overhaul in the 1990-2001
era. And it payed dividends when in the 2000-2001 season he guided Liverpool to a cup treble, they won the League Cup, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. They also went on to win the FA community shield against Manchester United and the UEFA Super Cup against Bayern
Munich. Compared to Rafa Benitez tenure at Anfield, Houllier's was comparatively more successful and he is a manager who has left with a good impression in the hearts of the Liverpool faithful.
But, Liverpool will not let their sentimentality cloud their view of the bigger picture and the job at hand. Liverpool desperately need the three points especially as their away record is amongst the poorest in the league. They need to pick up as many points
as possible at Anfield. Both teams have seen new managers come in this season and both have been struggling to find their feet in their new set ups. Roy Hodgson joined Liverpool in the summer after Rafa Benitez was let go. Gerard Houllier was drawn in after
the season had started because Martin O'Neill had resigned right before the start of the new seaon due to irreconcilable differences with the American owner.
Both have had a few games under their belts now and both have been largely unimpressive. But this is a chance to take a chance in the right direction and both must be praying for a win. Liverpool are still without Steven Gerrard who was injured on International
duty for England. They have also lost Jamie Carragher for around three months to a dislocated shoulder in the defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane last weekend. Aston Villa, on the other hand, have been riddled by injuries, and they will look to have Richard
Dunne fit and Gabriel Agbonlahor back upfront as without him they produced a lacklustre performance in attack against Arsenal last weekend.
Liverpool need to win to get closer to where they belong. Amongst the top six. With players like Gerard and Torres you can't imagine being 11th. Aston Villa have always finished strongly in the past 3 or 4 seasons largely due to Martin O'Neill's charisma.
But now he's moved on and Villa need to prove they are the real deal, even without the man who made them what they are today.
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