Aly: We've worked on Stoke shortcomings

The Reds ran riot going forward at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday; however, they leaked three goals in the match and allowed the Potters to level just before half-time.

A frantic six minutes saw Mark Hughes' men punish Liverpool prior to the interval, with strikes from former Reds Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam taking the game to 2-2.

While Brendan Rodgers' side held their nerve and, with a little help from Daniel Sturridge, clinched a remarkable win, Cissokho accepts there was an element of complacency at the back.

The Frenchman wants to stamp out any such errors today and ensure that no ground is lost on Liverpool's rivals in what is fast becoming an intense struggle at the top of the table.

"This week we've been working on what didn't go quite so well against Stoke," Cissokho told Liverpoolfc.com. "We relaxed a little where we shouldn't have.

"It's something we needed to put right and the coach understood that and has had us working at that in training.

"In the days leading up to match day we've been working on the characteristics of this Aston Villa side, whether it's out on the training ground or watching videos.

"Against Stoke, we'd scored two goals and then maybe relaxed a tiny bit towards half-time and then suddenly it was two each. Villa will be a tough game for us and we will have to concentrate hard throughout.

"We can't afford to think it's going to be easy. It will be a difficult match against a very good side and so we will all have to do our jobs in the right manner, enjoy our football, score some goals and make sure we get the three points.

"Every dropped point is one point less in this intense race for points in this tight league. All the teams around the top of the league have to be wary of the so-called 'weaker' teams.

"I've noticed that every game here is very close and hard-fought. No matter who the team is, their players will fight hard and be aggressive from start to finish.

"The Aston Villa game will be very difficult; they are quite a young side and have some very good players who like to play a passing game and are technically good enough to set the tone of the game.

"We need to be really focused and make sure we take control of the game and do our jobs."

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Cissokho will be looking to make a fourth successive start during the late kick-off at Anfield, a place where Liverpool have now stormed to eight consecutive wins.

The 26-year-old got his first taste of playing in front of the Kop long before he signed for the Reds in the summer. He was part of the Lyon side that beat Rafael Benitez's men 2-1 in the Champions League group stage in October 2009.

We asked the full-back what has been the key to recent successes at Anfield and why Rodgers' charges have slipped to just one defeat there all season.

He responded: "We have a stadium full of supporters that really get behind the side, and whether we score first or go a goal behind, the support and atmosphere is always there.

"I think that spreads through to the team and gives us that desire to give an even bigger effort, which in turn means our opponents sit back a little more. We have players in midfield who can keep the ball well, so all that means we are difficult to beat at home.

"We've got a well-crafted squad with a lot of players which allows us to rotate and put out a team every Saturday that is fresh. What we have to do is to keep up this tempo in every game, including the FA Cup, as it's an important trophy and we have to get as far as we can in that trophy.

"We've also got Luis, who's scored plenty of goals and that's been so good for us. It's been a real bonus for the team ever since he returned from suspension, and it's allowed us to keep that momentum rolling.

"We've managed to improve as a team. We've had a run of some very tough games but we've been able to keep up our momentum and that's why we've always been around the top of the table.

"We're in the top four right now and our target, the Champions League, is within our grasp."

One man who will be keen to leave a mark on today's clash is Villa dangerman Christian Benteke, who netted twice at Anfield when the sides met in the Barclays Premier League last season.

The Belgian was in prolific form throughout the 2012-13 campaign; however, he started the current one out of sorts. Against Arsenal on Monday, he ended a 14-hour and 45-minute drought in front of goal.

Cissokho knows the powerful frontman will pose a significant threat during today's encounter, though, when he could line up alongside Villa's new signing, Grant Holt.

"He's a top player who had a great second half to the last season," he said. "He's had a bit of a dip recently but he remains a very dangerous striker and we need to concentrate hard at the back when we're up against him and also Gabby Agbonlahor, who's very quick.

"We will have to keep a close eye on them both. I think that our players, whether it be Kolo Toure or Martin Skrtel, have enough experience of this type of player, big and strong yet skilful in front of goal, to be able to stop them."