Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard on his return to Anfield: "Everyone in that stadium will know me well enough to know what I'm about and what I'm going to Anfield for.

"I'm going back to a club where I spent many years and it brings a smile to my face for a couple of reasons.

"One, I've got a good relationship with a lot of people at the club. I had a fantastic time there, a really good journey, I'm a local boy.

"It was the team I supported growing up and I will always support that team.

"But at the same time it brings a smile to my face because I've got the opportunity to go there and compete against a good team and a good manager and try to win the game. That's my only focus."

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield

Only one story in town today and Liverpool fans queuing outside Anfield to get in were treated to some of Steven Gerard’s great goals on the giant video screen next to The Kop.

Wolves

Wolves captain Conor Coady to BBC Sport: "We knew how hard it is coming here and that they would have a lot of possession. It was about being organised, structured and compact, reducing them to a few chances. And I thought we did that."

On the penalty decision: "For the game to be called on that, we are desperately disappointed because we have given everything.

"It wasn't a penalty. I get on with referees really well and I haven't got a bad word to say about them, but sometimes you can see with the player reactions, they tend to look like 'yeah that's a bit dodgy that one'.

"For a game of this magnitude to be decided on a contentious decision is massively disappointing."

On Raul Jimenez's red card: "Only Raul can tell you. We are behind him 100%. We did everything to stay in the game and I thought we played really well."

Fara Williams
Former Liverpool and England midfielder on Football Focus

Arsenal started really badly but then went on a really good spell. The Liverpool game was going to show where they were at, but that defeat hit them hard. They haven’t been able to hit the heights they were at before that game. It was a reality check for them.

Steven Gerrard's return to Anfield has understandably dominated the headlines but he's having none of it.

He wants to win. And he says he is willing to sacrifice his popularity at Liverpool to do it.

"If I'm on the bus heading back down the M6 towards Birmingham and I'm not the most popular at Anfield, so be it," said Gerrard.

"The noise is for other people to get excited about. For me it's about preparing the team in the best way I can to try and get a positive result for Aston Villa."

Arsenal

It's not the first time Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been in trouble at Arsenal. Thoughts, Gunners fans?

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm not saying he's like Steven Gerrard, but Gerrard will see things in John McGinn that he saw in himself - that never believing anyone else is better than him, that all-action attitude, defending and getting forward.

He's not another Steven Gerrard, but Gerrard will look at him and think: 'You're one of mine'.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Chelsea have looked a lot less convincing of late, especially at the back. They lost their way a little bit in their defeat by West Ham which is strange because they are usually so well organised and mentally strong.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Image source, Getty Images

While it promises to be emotional off the pitch, Liverpool are still a formidable side on it.

They remain the only side unbeaten at home this season. They have scored in 25 successive games. And their last defeat was against West Ham on 7 November.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have had a bit of a resurgence since Steven Gerrard came in, winning their of the four games.

They had only won three in 11 previously, and only Southampton have lost more games in 2021 than Villa's 19.

Aston Villa have scored a league-high 10 goals from set-pieces this season though - which could be an area they look to exploit today.

Southampton

Since Ralph Hasenhuttl's first Southampton game in charge in December 2018, the Saints have dropped more points from winning positions than any other Premier League side - 71.

Southampton have lost 14 away Premier League matches in 2021, their most away league defeats in a single year since 2004, when they lost 15.

Manchester City

Manchester City goalscorer Raheem Sterling, speaking to BT Sport: “Every time we play Wolves at home it’s always a difficult one. They’re always a difficult side to break down.

“[Scoring 100 Premier League goals] is a lovely achievement. There are some fantastic players in that list. I’m really honoured to be in it now.

“We knew we had to keep patient. They kept it really tight, but we knew if we kept playing we’d get an opportunity – and we did.

“Wolves are always a difficult side to play against, home and away. Each game has its different challenges. We’ve always found it very difficult to break Wolves down and it was the same again today.

“We keep saying ‘next game’. That’s all we can keep doing. We need to do the same in midweek.”

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang isn't in the squad for today's match with rumours aplenty of a bust up in training.

Asked why his striker is missing out Arteta said: "Unfortunately, due to a disciplinary breach.

"I think we have been very consistent, there are non-negotiables we have set as a club and I think we have been very consistent."

The Arsenal boss was then quizzed on the possible length of time Aubameyang could be out. Arteta replied: "It starts today.

"Certainly it's not an easy situation and not a situation we want."

Arsenal

There's some big news coming out of Arsenal concerning Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Fara Williams
Former Liverpool and England midfielder on Football Focus

These Aston Villa players should consider themselves lucky. They should be like sponges in there. If I was a midfielder, I’d be like a sponge around Gerrard and try to absorb every little bit of information he can give – because he’s been there and done it.

Jonathan Woodgate
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Conor Coady, Romain Saiss and Max Kilman have defended extremely well for Wolves. Coady with a goal-line clearance - huge moment in the game.

Wolves stayed in it, they dug deep and towards the end of the end of the game they had a chance, but Ederson made a great save and won City the game.

Thanks Emma.

One down, four still to come including Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.

A cracking few hours coming up.

Liverpool are now four points behind Manchester City. Chelsea are five off.

They are both up next against Aston Villa and Leeds United respectively.

Neil Johnston is jumping in to help me talk you through those two games, along with Arsenal v Southampton.

Tasty.

Fara Williams
Former Liverpool and England midfielder on Football Focus

Chelsea are a team that score goals and create goals, it’s just individual errors that have cost them. Their form shouldn’t worry Thomas Tuchel.

Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk is asked in a pre-match TV interview if Liverpool's players have discussed Steven Gerrard's return: "No, not at all. Obviously it's going to be emotional for him personally

"But for us as players we didn't think about it one bit. Aston Villa have good players with individual quality. We have analysed them well and worked on a couple of important things."

All over. City increase their lead at the top of the table for the time being.

Image source, Getty Images