Liverpool have flattered to deceive this season riding on the brilliance of one man Luis Suarez more often than not to keep them within the margins of European qualification.

However, come Sunday, they will come up against a side in Aston Villa, who are desperate to pick up every single point available as they bid to beat the drop.

Liverpool pulled off an impressive come-from-behind victory over Tottenham three weeks ago, only to then throw away the momentum by capitulating against Southampton the following week.

That has been pretty much the pattern of the side for the entire season - brilliant in one game, and woeful the next.

The Reds are currently in seventh on 45 points from 30 games, three behind Merseyside rivals Everton, who have played a game less.

Their outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League pretty much went up in smoke with that defeat to Southampton, with nine points separating fourth-placed Spurs and Liverpool with just eight games remaining.

Spurs could bulge the lead to 12, if they take all three points at Swansea on Saturday, with Everton and Arsenal set to play Stoke and Reading on the same day.

"It's very important that this season doesn't peter out," Rodgers told reporters. "It can't do. Supporters are going to pay good money, home and away, to come and watch the football club.

"This is a club where there is institutional pride. Of course, we always want to be challenging for trophies but if that's not the case, you need to represent the shirt and the city.

"Every game is vital. We're playing for professional pride. We're at a stage in the season where we don't have a trophy to play for but we still have to fight.

"The players here never have a lazy day. I commented this morning after training that a lot of them had flown around the world (for international games) and yet the intensity and the training that they all put in was outstanding.

"This is a club where you never, ever have an easy game. And every time you play, you are representing great supporters. So for us there's everything to play for. We'll keep going right to the very end."

Villa, though, will pose a tough challenge. Paul Lambert's side are on a two-match winning run, having picked up a precious six points against Reading and Queens Park Rangers.

They are currently one place clear of the relegation zone, but with third bottom Wigan having played a game less, any dropped points could prove crucial in the final run-in.

Villa have plenty of players returning with Darren Bent, Nathan Baker and Karim El Ahmadi passed fit while Fabian Delph is available after serving a two-match suspension. Ciaran Clark and Brett Holman though suffered minor injuries on international duty and will be assessed before the game.

Liverpool will have Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina back in the lineup, while Martin Kelly, Fabio Borini and Joe Allen remain sidelined.

Expected lineups: Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Baker; Sylla, Westwood, Bannan; Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard; Downing, Suarez, Coutinho; Sturridge.

Prediction: 2-2