Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Unai Emery said that Villa are “enjoying the way we are doing”.

“Last year was a very successful season in the Premier League, getting to the Champions League. This year, the objective for us is to keep it.

“There are another seven teams that we have to be more intelligent than and more competitive. After last year, we were a surprise when we were getting the fourth position.

“We are a competitive team to be in the top seven, top five, top four.

“If we want to play in the Champions League or in Europe, if we want to be contenders for a trophy, we have to play three matches a week. If we are not able to play, focusing mentally and physically in this direction, we’re not going to get our objective,” he added.

“Tomorrow at Liverpool will be completely difficult, they are the favourites to beat us. They are the favourites to win the Premier League this season, now in front of [Manchester] City and Arsenal because they started very well.

“Of course we are motivated, we are excited as well and we are keeping balance.

“Hopefully on the field we can show our capacity to face them, competing and with the possibility to get points.”

Having won just one of their six Premier League home games against Aston Villa between 2009 and 2014 (D2 L3), Liverpool have now won five of their last six at Anfield against the Villans (D1).

However, only Manchester United (12) and Chelsea (7) have won more Premier League away games against Liverpool than Aston Villa – they’ve won six, as have Arsenal.

These two sides have met 181 times in the past, with the first meeting dating back as far as 1894. Liverpool have won 91, with Villa winning 52 and 38 ending as draws.

When the sides last met, towards the end of last season in mid-May, they played out a 3-3 draw at Villa Park, though Liverpool eased to a 3-0 win in this fixture last time out.

Jones produced a virtuoso showing against Chelsea recently, winning a penalty and scoring the decisive goal, before further assists of late against Brighton and Bayer Leverkusen.

Arne Slot has praised him more than once of late and the Reds’ head coach was asked about Jones’ improved performances and what he had altered in the midfielder’s game to bring out his best form, replying several factors might have been at play - one of which was not down to himself in the slightest.

Unai Emery has made two changes to the side that fell to a surprising 4-1 loss to Spurs last week.

In defence, Matty Cash comes out for Diego Carlos, with Ezri Konsa covering at right-back.

In midfield, Leon Bailey replaces John McGinn on the right-hand side.

Arne Slot has made three changes to the side that beat Brighton 2-1 last weekend. In defence, Andy Robertson comes in for Kostas Tsimikas.

In midfield, Curtis Jones replaces Dominik Szoboszlai, with Luis Diaz coming in for Cody Gakpo.

Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez.

Subs: Jaros, Endo, Szoboszlai, Gomez, Gakpo, Quansah, Bradley, Morton.

Villa XI: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; Ramsey, Rogers, Bailey; Watkins.

Subs: Olsen, Bogarde, Maatsen, Mings, Kamara, McGinn, Buendia, Philogene, Duran.

Arne Slot has made the best start by any Premier League manager in history, with 14 wins from 16 competitive games in charge.

Slot is the first Liverpool manager to win as many as eight of his first 10 top-flight fixtures in charge of the club.

Aston Villa have equalled their longest losing streak under Unai Emery of three matches across all competitions. They could suffer consecutive Premier League defeats for the first time in 18 months.

One of the ongoing sagas concerning Liverpool is the contract negotiations with Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk who are all out of contract next summer.

Arne Slot has repeatedly been asked if there are any updates on the discussions and he replied that they concern the players and sporting director Richard Hughes and would remain internal.

Slot said: “It would be strange if I have no input. In general contract situations are talked about by the people who should talk about them. I talk about this with Richard and that’s where it should be, not in front of a microphone.”