Farke left fuming after Leeds denied the goal

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised the “incredible job” Unai Emery has done during his time at Aston Villa ahead of Monday’s clash between the sides.

Emery guided Villa to the Europa Conference League in his first campaign in charge, where they reached the semi-finals.

The Villans’ Euro campaign was ended by Olympiacos on Thursday, but they are one win away from securing a Champions League place for next term.

Emery’s men, who lost 1-0 at Brighton last time out in the Championship, can get over the line with a game to spare when Liverpool visit Villa Park.

“He did an incredible job,” Klopp said. “Emery is one of the best we have in the business, 100%. Wherever he was, he was successful.

“Sometimes the clubs weren’t prepared to wait, maybe. In hindsight, these clubs probably would have made different decisions.

“The job he is doing is absolutely exceptional. We all know how important it is for a club to qualify for the Champions League, how difficult it is.”

Liverpool enter third in the Premier League, 11 points clear of Villa, their title hopes now officially over.

While there may not be much on the line for the Reds, this will be Klopp’s last away game as Liverpool manager.

The German leaves after next week’s home game with Wolves and Villa boss John McGinn says he will be missed.

“The league was very lucky to have Klopp,” McGinn said. “Obviously it has a very strong identity and team. He will be missed.

“I think everyone knows what we think of our own manager. We are very lucky to have him and his staff. They work endlessly to make us better.”

PLAYERS TO VISIT

Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins

Watkins has failed to score in back-to-back games in all competitions for Villa, with his goal against Brighton leaving him one shy of the 20-goal mark in the Premier League this season.

The last Villa player to reach this mark in a top-flight campaign was Peter Withe in 1980-81.

The omens are certainly good as against Brighton alone (six) – ironically – Watkins has scored more goals in the competition than he did against Liverpool (five).

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Salah returned to the starting line-up at Liverpool last weekend and both scored and assisted in the 4-2 win against Tottenham.

The Egyptian has now scored and assisted in four different Premier League games this season – only Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (five) has done so more often.

Throughout his entire Premier League career, Salah has done so 31 times in total, a number only bettered by Wayne Rooney (36) and Thierry Henry (32).

MATCH PREDICTION – LIVERPOOL TO WIN

Villa lost 1-0 to Brighton in their most recent league match but have not lost back-to-back Premier League games since May last year.

Liverpool won 4-2 against Tottenham last time out, meanwhile, and have lost just one of their last 26 league games played in May.

This is a fixture the Reds tend to do well in, though, as they have only lost once and won 10 times in their last 12 league games with Villa.

Indeed, Liverpool have won more Premier League away games against Villa than any other opposition (16).

Historically, Liverpool have lost just one of their last eight away games under Klopp, the last time being in 2018.

EIGHTH PROBABILITY OF WINNING

Aston Villa – 27.1%

Draw – 27.7%

Liverpool – 45.2%