Unai Emery comments show rivals no longer fear Liverpool

“We are going to test against them as well in Villa Park, which team is – in this moment – better than the other in the table.”

Villa and Liverpool currently sit level on points heading into the game, although the Reds still hold a slight advantage in the race for Champions League qualification.

Emery repeatedly praised his side’s mentality despite their demanding Europa League schedule.

The Spaniard explained: “We deserved more, we deserved to win.”

Opponents no longer fear Liverpool

What stands out most from Emery’s comments is the lack of fear surrounding Liverpool right now.

Levi Colwill claimed Chelsea deserved all three points after Saturday’s draw at Anfield, while Ollie Watkins also warned Liverpool that Villa “always” make life difficult for us at Villa Park.

That growing confidence from opponents reflects how passive Slot’s side have become in recent months.

Liverpool controlled spells against Chelsea early on before once again retreating into a slower, reactive style that frustrated supporters inside Anfield.

The Reds still have a strong recent record at Villa Park, having lost just one of the last 11 league visits there dating back to 2011, while the last two meetings there have both ended level.

However, form and momentum currently feel more important than history.

Villa are heading into Friday’s clash energised by a Europa League final appearance and believing they can expose Liverpool’s weaknesses just like Chelsea did at Anfield.