Liverpool will be looking to secure their spot in the Premier League’s top five when they travel to face Aston Villa on Friday at 8pm.
The Reds currently sit fourth in the table, four points clear of sixth-placed Bournemouth, with just two games left to play.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Aston Villa
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Isak.
Arne Slot’s side would have hoped to have Champions League football secured earlier, but they are winless in their past two matches. It leaves them level on points with hosts Aston Villa, though the Villans are winless in three in the league.
And Liverpool have a good recent record against Aston Villa, losing just one of their last 16 league games in this fixture.
Liverpool team news vs Aston Villa
Slot has a few doubts going into this game. Florian Wirtz missed last weekend’s draw with Chelsea due to a stomach bug. While he has returned to training, Slot confirmed he is on antibiotics. So even if Wirtz is available for selection, he may not start.
Alisson also faces a late fitness test to see if he can return in goal. The Brazilian is back in training, but Slot was coy on whether he’s ready to be involved. This could be another decision made late on, with Giorgi Mamardashvili ready to start if Alisson doesn’t make it back in time.
Liverpool fans will be happy to hear that Mo Salah is available for selection, amid earlier fears that his final campaign at the club had ended early due to injury. However, the Egyptian won’t start and will only likely get a late cameo.
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There’s a chance that Liverpool remain mostly unchanged from their starting XI in the draw against Chelsea. Curtis Jones continues at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong ahead of him.
Rio Ngumoha is sure to start on the left after his bright impact against Chelsea. The decision to take him off midway through the second half was met with loud boos by the Liverpool fans.
Alexander Isak replaced him after his return from injury, and he may hope to lead the line. Cody Gakpo may drop out of the starting XI after having very little impact last week. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are the first-choice double pivot right now, with Dominik Szoboszlai in the No.10 to replace Wirtz.
Nervy Reds on the road
Liverpool like playing Aston Villa, and the Villans are on a longer winless run than the Reds. But you just don’t know what to expect with Liverpool this season.
Slot’s side have lost 11 Premier League games this season, last losing more in 2014-15 when they suffered 12 defeats. And eight of those 11 defeats have come away from home.
Liverpool also haven’t won their final away league game of a season since 2022. Their three-match winless run has seen Liverpool draw with Southampton and Aston Villa, while losing to Brighton and Hove Albion. On the other side, Aston Villa are unbeaten in their final home game of a season in each of the past six campaigns since their return to the Premier League.