Liverpool will host Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday (14.00 BST) in an attempt to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2023-24 Premier League season.
The Reds may not have been at their best in their first three games, but Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with what he’s seen and the seven points they’ve earned.
Certainly, the Liverpool manager couldn’t have been more pleased with his team’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United last week. That would have been an impressive feat in and of itself, but the Reds were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Virgil van Dijk. Darwin Nunez had a barnstorming impact off the bench, punishing the Magpies twice with two deadly counter-attacks.
Nunez’s double means he’ll be hoping he’s done enough to start, while Klopp will be without captain Virgil van Dijk against a Villa team that has won their last two games after being hammered by Newcastle in their opener. Ibrahima Konate and Thiago Alcantara are both injured, and deadline-day acquisition Ryan Gravenberch was not registered in time to play.
With that in mind, here is the Liverpool team that we believe will face Aston Villa.
1. GK – Alisson Becker
Immense against Newcastle and will have to be on his toes again.
2. RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Will captain Liverpool for the first time at Anfield. A big moment for him.
3. CB – Joel Matip
Settled into the Newcastle game and will be aiming to take the positives from that display. Must use all of his experience.
4. CB – Joe Gomez
Did well after replacing van Dijk last week following his dismissal. Another performance of that ilk is needed.
5. LB – Andy Robertson
Will be interesting to see how the Scotland captain is deployed with the enforced changes in defence.
6. CM – Wataru Endo
Another week to have become more integrated into his new surroundings and that will only help. Photo: Andrew
7. CM – Dominik Szoboszlai
The £60m summer signing has made a fine start to his Liverpool career. Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty
8. CM – Alexis Mac Allister
Forced to play as a makeshift defensive midfielder in the opening games then was part of a rearguard action last week. The Argentina international will want to show his capabilities going forward. Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty
