What can Liverpool expect from their first clash against a Steven Gerrard managed side?

As much as Steven Gerrard is desperate for his return to Anfield as a manager with Aston Villa not to be made about him, it is largely unavoidable.

Gerrard the player spent 17 wonderful years at Liverpool winning everything but that elusive Premier League title.

And it is in the very same competition that he takes his new Villa side up to Merseyside on Saturday for the first time since hanging up his boots five years ago.

But what can the Liverpool faithful expect from a side managed by a club legend who is now out to get them?

Fast start at Villa

Gerrard has hit the ground running at Villa since swapping Glasgow for the Midlands in November.

The 41-year-old quit as Rangers boss to replace the sacked Dean Smith at Villa Park and has not looked back since, winning three of his first four games at the helm.

The only defeat Gerrard has tasted so far was against high-flying Manchester City last weekend with Ollie Watkins’ goal proving to be not enough in a 2-1 defeat.

Gerrard appears to have made it clear who is the boss at Villa after reports suggested he had tightened the approach to player diets with ketchup bumped from the menu.

Some sacrifices are worth making and nine points from a possible 12 can’t be argued with, even if some Villa players may be missing their sauce.

Smith was loved by all at Villa, it was the club he supported and you could tell it had that extra meaning for him.

Liverpool fans can expect a more ruthless edge to Gerrard the manager, he already appears to be a more regimented boss than his predecessor and is unlikely to let sentiment get in the way on his hunt for points.

The homecoming

When questioned about his homecoming, Gerrard said: “That’s for me to deal with in terms of emotions and all that.

“I see it as being very much about the team and preparing them in the best possible way.

“We’ll be trying to get a result at Anfield.

“For me, it’ll be about the team having the confidence and belief that we can go and take something from the game.

“There are no sentimental thoughts ahead of it. I just want to go there and win. We want to make it as difficult as we can.”

You would expect Gerrard to get a rousing reception from the Kop, and despite his protestations, you’d think it will be hard for the Scouser not to get a tad emotional in the away dugout at his former stomping ground.

One thing is guaranteed, Gerrard’s Villa will certainly not roll over and gift his former employers any favours as they look to overhaul Man City at the top of the league.

The stats show Gerrard has got his forwards finishing better and his defence more effective at preventing the opposition from creating chances already.

Liverpool should expect a well-drilled and tirelessly hardworking Villa side who will fight for every scrap at the home of the 2019/20 league champions.

But there is a silver lining for the Reds, Gerrard has only been in the hot seat a matter of weeks so there will certainly be chinks in the Villa armour.

And with a red-hot Mo Salah at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal, you would not be surprised if the Egyptian King takes full advantage of any opportunities afforded to him.

Image credit: Getty Images