Liverpool v Aston Villa LIVE - Reds continue top-four chase with Jurgen Klopp banned from touchline

Watkins heads a free kick away but then clashes heads with van Dijk. Both are sitting up but require medical attention.

The Reds are on the offensive as you would expect. Diaz has made one dangerous run in behind, but was fractionally offside.

The game begins in bright sunshine.

The teams are in the Anfield tunnel.

Steven Gerrard of course managed Villa earlier this season.

Klopp has edged each of the last six meetings between himself and Emery - including one on penalties - and has not lost to the Spaniard since Emery's Sevilla beat Liverpool in the 2015-16 Europa League final, their first-ever meeting.

Firmino's Liverpool career is coming to an end, with today his last match at Anfield.

On top of scoring 109 goals, he has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup during a stellar eight-year stay with the Reds.

In a sign of times a-changing in Liverpool, Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will all be leaving on free transfers as well this summer.

Mohamed Salah has scored in nine consecutive home games, a Liverpool record, and could grow it today.

Unai Emery insisted pre-match that Villa will "try to win", recognising a draw will not do much good in their push for European football. "We deserve to play this match, being a candidate to play in Europe."

As for Liverpool, they "have very good structure and strong players in each position" so Emery is expecting a tough game, but wants Villa to "take our moments".

Emery was this week included on the six-person shortlist for the Premier League's manager of the season honour.

Liverpool have won seven league games in a row.

Villa have lost on each of their last four trips to Anfield, but before that were four games unbeaten, including a brilliant 3-1 win in the 2012-13 season.

Klopp begins a touchline ban today for comments made about referee Paul Tierney in the aftermath of a crazy 4-3 win over Tottenham. The second match of the two-game ban has been suspended, however, so he will be back for the final game of the season at St Mary's.

Villa make three changes - both of the full backs, plus Boubacar Kamara replacing Emi Buendia in midfield. That's a show of respect for Liverpool.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Luiz, Kamara, Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins.

Liverpool name the same starting line-up which thrashed Lecister City last time out. James Milner and Roberto Firmino are both on the bench.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Konate, Roberton, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Diaz, Gakpo, Salah.

Liverpool could jump up to fourth with a positive result today, but face an Aston Villa side with European aspirations of their own and a good run of form to fall back on. Villa could move as high as sixth, one place below Liverpool, should everything go their way.

It could be an emotional afternoon at Anfield as well, with several Reds favourites saying goodbye, and team news is on the way next.