Liverpool will endeavour to record their third Premier League victory on the bounce when they host Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds showed great spirit and resilience to come from a man and a goal down to beat Newcastle United 2-1 at St James’ Park last weekend. This moved them onto seven points from their opening three games of the new season.
However, Jurgen Klopp and Co. face another daunting test against Aston Villa, who head to Anfield off the back of a 3-1 win over newly-promoted Burnley.
Liverpool Team News
Ibrahima Konate and Thiago Alcantara have been ruled out of the game against Aston Villa. Konate was unable to take part in the Newcastle victory due to a muscle problem and will miss out again, while Thiago has had a little setback following his recovery from a hip problem.
In a positive injury update, Curtis Jones is back in training and could be involved in the squad on Sunday. Meanwhile, Liverpool have agreed to a €40m deal with Bayern Munich for midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, although he is unlikely to be available for the visit of Villa.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Aston Villa (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker was excellent in the 2-1 comeback victory over Newcastle, keeping Liverpool in the game with a few top-class saves in the first half. He is a certainty to start in goal for the Reds.
Defence
As Virgil van Dijk is suspended for picking up a straight red card against Newcastle and Ibrahima Konate out with a muscle problem, Joel Matip is likely to be paired with Joe Gomez at centre-half against Villa. Matip and Gomez have to be defensively switched on throughout the game to keep an in-form Villa attack—led by Ollie Watkins—at bay.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are mainstays in defence. Operating at full-back, they will be responsible for providing width, energy and attacking impetus to Klopp’s side.
Midfield
The trio of Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister should provide energy, industry and creativity in the middle of the park, with Endo in particular responsible for holding the fort. How well the Japanese can do that will determine the ease with which his two midfield partners can get forward and create opportunities in the final third.
Attack
Darwin Nunez’s memorable brace to help Liverpool win against Newcastle should warrant him with a start up front on Sunday. With his pace and directness, the Uruguayan will look to cause problems for the Villa defence and combine well with wide forwards Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
Cody Gakpo should drop to the bench, and he along with Diogo Jota will hope to make an impact in the second half if called upon.