“Genuinely really concerning” – Aston Villa fans upset with Gerrard for dropping in-form 25-year-old star from starting line-up for Liverpool clash
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard will take on his former club as the Villans host Liverpool in the Premier League this evening (Tuesday, May 10).
Having had a run of five games without a win before recording back-to-back victories, the Villans hope to finish in the Premier League's top half for the first time since 2011.
Gerrard will be hoping to dent Liverpool's title hopes even further, and his side will be looking to avenge their 1-0 defeat at Anfield earlier this season.
#AVLLIV
This is your Aston Villa team to face Liverpool tonight. 👊 #AVLLIV https://t.co/T7qsXidNov
The last time the two met at Villa Park in the league, Aston Villa beat the visitors 7-2 in one of the most extraordinary top-flight games in recent history.
Villa made two changes from their win at Burnley last time out. Calum Chambers and Emi Buendia dropped out for Marvelous Nakamba and former Reds star Philippe Coutinho.
Buendia's omission has bemused many online. The Argentine playmaker put in a Man-of-the-Match performance at Turf Moor, where he scored and assisted Danny Ings for the opener.
Fans took to Twitter to vent their frustrations at Buendia's absence from the starting lineup:
@AVFCOfficial @CazooUK Poor Emi
@AVFCOfficial @CazooUK buendia goal and assist then dropped for coutinho this is why i wouldn’t be bothered if we dont sign him just play buendia man
@AVFCOfficial @CazooUK Buendia benched https://t.co/P9bQZZ4taL
@AVFCOfficial @CazooUK Buendia dropped 🤡 genuinely really concerning that after being clearly the best player on the pitch Gerrard still drops him. Chambers dropped as well 😂
@AVFCOfficial @CazooUK How can you drop a player who’s just played one of his best games 😑
@AVFCOfficial @CazooUK Buendía dropped after last week?🙃 I’ve been critical of Buendía in the past but cmon it is nonsense to drop him after his most recent performance and Coutinho’s drought. Nakamba for Chambers is also odd as Nakamba isn’t sharp and Chambers was also good.
@AVFCOfficial @CazooUK Buendia best player and he’s been dropped after a super performance why man
Gerrard insists his Aston Villa side will do their best to halt Liverpool's momentum
Predictably, in the lead-up to the clash, there was plenty of talk surrounding the Villa boss, a Liverpool legend who spent 17 seasons of his professional career at the club.
However, when asked about his thoughts heading into the encounter, Gerrard dismissed any idea that he would be distracted about the fate of his former side, given that the Reds are locked in a heated title race with Manchester City.
As per BBC Sport, the former England captain said in a pre-match press conference:
"My job is to win games for Aston Villa and that will always be the case while I'm representing this club."
He later added:
"They're (Liverpool) a world-class team. Arguably, the best team in the world right now."
"We're well aware of the size of the challenge, but it's exciting and I'm looking forward to it. I want to win, fiercely, and that is no different on Tuesday."
Liverpool made five changes to their starting lineup for the Villa Park encounter. Jurgen Klopp rested Mohamed Salah, Thiago Alcantara, and Andy Robertson ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea.
𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦📋 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦
Tonight’s line-up to face @AVFCOfficial 👊 #AVLLIV