Liverpool face a key clash in the race for Champions League football on Saturday as they welcome Aston Villa to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have won their last two Premier League games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal but were defeated in their last outing, a 3-1 reverse at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Could Klopp elect to make many changes for his starting line-up following that defeat?
With the second leg against Los Blancos not taking place until Wednesday, there should only be slight alterations for Saturday’s clash.
None of those aforementioned changes should occur in defence, where Alisson is set to be shielded by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nathaniel Phillips, Ozan Kabak and Andrew Robertson.
One slight tweak will likely occur in midfield, where Naby Keita should be replaced by Thiago Alcantara. The Guinean international had a torrid time in Madrid, eventually being substituted after 42 minutes, so he certainly would not have justified any selection against Villa.
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Meanwhile, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum should assume their regular positions in midfield.
Moving into attack, Klopp could be tempted to make a further change with Sadio Mane being replaced by Roberto Firmino, who started on the bench in Spain. The 71-cap Senegal winger has not scored in the Premier League since late January in the 3-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
Whilst the Brazilian is not a direct replacement, Mane dropping out allows the in-form Diogo Jota to shift out to the left.
Mohamed Salah should complete Liverpool’s three-pronged attack against Villa in a team which only sees two changes from that which started against Real Madrid.
AND in more news, take a closer look at why Thiago Alcantara has to be included in the starting line-up for Saturday’s game…