Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League game between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield.

Guzan off his line to collect the ball from Johnson's cross. Liverpool utterly dominant so far in this contest.

Johnson sees a cross blocked as he tries to pick out Suarez. Agger heads wide from a Gerrard corner that was deemed to have gone out of play before it found the defender's head.

Aston Villa have won only two Prermier League away matches in 2012. Only promoted or relegated clubs have won fewer away matches in this calendar year.

Allen is the latest man to have a pop at goal from distance after some more keen attacking play by Johnson. Wide of goal. But this has been a bright start by Liverpool.

Downing decides to uncork an effort from 30 yards out. Plenty of venom with his right foot, but the shot is always sailing wide of goal.

Another decent ball by Johnson trying to find Suarez, but he overhits that effort as Guzan is off his line to collect with some ease.

Poor pass by Suarez trying to pick out Gerrard. But the ball breaks back to Gerrard, whose shot is saved by Guzan.

Eric Lichaj nearly knocks the ball into his own net from Dowining's drilled cross. Guzan doing well to react and make the save.

Gerrard fails to pick out Sterling, but fails. Poor stuff from him really. Lovely touch by Suarez. The sort of skill one has come to expect from the Uruguay forward.

Gerrard with a free-kick at the other other end of the park for Liverpool, but he knocks that straight out of play.

Bannan throws a free-kick into the heart of the Liverpool box, but Christian Benteke's header is well blocked by Pepe Reina. Quick start to this match.

We are off and running then in this one at Anfield.

A rousing minute's applause for Phil Taylor, the manager of Liverpool before the legendary Bill Shankley.

Out come the teams at Anfield. You'll Never Walk Alone will greet them as ever.

Villa are expected to line up with three at the back - Clark, Baker and Herd - as Lowton and Lichaj operate as wing-backs. Liverpool line up with Shelvey playing off Suarez and Lucas and Allen holding. Gerrard and Sterling should provide the width.

Villa's 4-1 thumping of Norwich was welcome indeed for Paul Lambert - especially as it came against his former club. Villa are now unbeaten in five in all competitions though they have only scored six goals in that time. Creating chances is their primary problem.

Liverpool start the day in 10th place but a win could put them up into seventh, ahead of Arsenal who play Reading on Monday. Aston Villa are down in 17th, and only goal difference has them above Wigan and out of the relegation zone. A victory could put them 14th though.

So Downing might have a point to prove against his former side, and indeed his own manager. He has admitted in today's matchday programme that he has been told he can leave the club in January.

Liverpool bring in Stewart Downing at left-back against his former side as Jose Enrique is out injured. Meanwhile, Aston Villa make four changes following their Capital One Cup win at Norwich. Andreas Weimann comes in for the injured Darren Bent, while Brad Guzan, Ashley Westwood and Barry Bannan also come back in.

TEAMS: Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Downing, Allen, Lucas, Gerrard, Sterling, Shelvey, Suarez. Subs: Jones, Wisdom, Carragher, Coates, Henderson, Cole, Suso. /// Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Clark, Lichaj, Holman, Westwood, Banna, Herd, Weimann, Benteke. Subs: Given, Bennett, Albrighton, Delph, N'Zogbia, El Ahmadi, Bowery.

The early team news is that Luis Suarez returns from suspension for Liverpool so Jonjo Shelvey is taken off false nine duty. Full teams to follow...