Starting XI Prediction: Arne Slot to Make Two Changes as Liverpool Face Aston Villa | OneFootball

Starting XI Prediction as Liverpool Host Aston Villa in Huge Premier League Clash

Liverpool face one more huge test ahead of the November international break, as they host Aston Villa in a huge Premier League clash at Anfield. Arne Slot’s side come into the clash two points above Manchester City at the top of the table, and will be hoping to extend that gap to five points by the end of the weekend.

With that being said, Aston Villa will be a really tough test for the Reds, with Unai Emery’s side currently sitting sixth in the table themselves. Let’s take a look at our predicted lineup ahead of Saturday night…

Full Strength at the Back

Caoimhin Kelleher will remain in goal for this one, as Alisson Becker continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained last month. Trent Alexander-Arnold will start at right-back, whilst Kostas Tsimikas will keep Andy Robertson out of the side once again on the opposite flank.

Photo: IMAGO

Virgil Van Dijk will captain the side from the heart of the defence and will be joined by the immense Ibou Konate. Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley will add depth to the back-line from the bench.

Verdict: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Tsimikas

Huge Change in Midfield

Arne Slot could be forced into a big change in the middle of the park due to the impressive form of Curtis Jones. I suspect that the 23-year-old academy graduate will start alongside Ryan Gravenberch as part of the double pivot in midfield, meaning Alexis Mac Allister will drop to the bench for this one.

Photo: IMAGO

Dominik Szoboszlai will come into the side as the advanced midfielder, after dropping to the bench in Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Verdict: Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai

Nunez’s Return?

Slot tried something completely new against Bayer Leverkusen during the week, with Luis Diaz playing as a false-nine. It’s fair to say that it was a bit of a masterstroke by the Dutchman, with Diaz picking up a second-half hat-trick as he lead the line. However, I think the Colombian will return to the left-hand side for this one, mostly to manage the minutes of himself and Cody Gakpo.

Photo: IMAGO

Gakpo will be the player to drop out of the lineup for this one, as Darwin Nunez will return to the side down the middle. Mohamed Salah will of course keep his place on the right-wing, before having his well-deserved week off from international duty.

Verdict: Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Starting XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Bench: Jaros, Quansah, Gomez, Bradley, Robertson, Endo, Morton, Mac Allister, Gakpo