Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Liverpool - Premier League

Steven Gerrard heads back to Anfield on Saturday, taking up a position in the away dugout as he and his Aston Villa players face Liverpool in the Premier League.

The 41-year-old was the main man at Anfield for a large part of his 17-year spell there, lifting several trophies and becoming a true club legend. On Saturday, however, he'll aim to beat his boyhood club as Villa boss, having gotten his tenure off to a hugely promising start thus far.

Wins over Brighton and Crystal Palace in his first two were followed by a narrow defeat to Manchester City and a well-earned 2-1 victory over Leicester last time out. There has been plenty of encouragement since Gerrard's arrival, although Villa would do well to overcome a Liverpool side that's lost just once in all competitions this term.

Here's who Gerrard could field to try and earn a result at his old stomping ground.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Liverpool - Premier League

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Emi Martinez (GK) - Villa's undisputed number one has kept just one clean sheet in his previous nine Premier League outings, but he's still Villa's undisputed number one.

Matty Cash (RB) - Was excellent last time out and, under Gerrard's dynamic and tenacious style, you feel the Poland international is really going to thrive.

Ezri Konsa (CB) - Imagine scoring a brace in a 2-1 win against a rival as a centre-back and not starting the next game.

Tyrone Mings (CB) - Has looked quite steady for the majority of this season which, to be fair, is all you really ask for from a central defender.

Ashley Young (LB) - Matt Targett will be available for selection again but, after Villa's hard-earned victory over Leicester, Gerrard may name an unchanged back four.

2. Midfielders

John McGinn (CM) - A certainty to start for the hosts, McGinn's work often goes unnoticed but, my goodness, is he a terrier in the middle of the pitch.

Marvelous Nakamba (CM) - Has impressed courtesy of the injection of intensity that Gerrard has brought with him and should be in line for a fifth consecutive start under the new boss.

Douglas Luiz (CM) - Has been an admirable performer in Villa's last two fixtures and will surely retain his place in midfield.

3. Forwards

Jacob Ramsey (RF) - Took up a more advanced role than usual last time out and may continue there as Gerrard's attacking options are somewhat limited.

Ollie Watkins (ST) - Danny Ings could be fit enough to make an appearance on Saturday, but there's no reason to replace Watkins while he's grinding out such good performances.

Emi Buendia (LF) - Put in one of his best displays in a Villa shirt against Leicester, which will hopefully allow him to kick on and show his undoubted quality.

You can read 90min's preview of Liverpool vs Aston Villa here.

You can read Liverpool's predicted lineup vs Aston Villa here.