Liverpool's return after the World Cup didn't go according to plan, with Manchester City ending the Reds' EFL Cup run in the fourth round, but Jurgen Klopp's team can bounce back on Boxing Day.
Last season's Premier League runners-up are set to face an Aston Villa side who have looked a different proposition since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager. Back-to-back victories over Manchester United and Brighton have pushed them towards mid-table and they have a chance to gain revenge on Liverpool after a narrow 2-1 defeat at the end of last season.
Only one of Liverpool's returning World Cup stars started at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, with Darwin Nunez playing the full 90 minutes, while two others came off the bench. Klopp is expected to ring the changes ahead of a first league game in over a month, with more of those involved in Qatar returning to the fold.
