Liverpool team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Aston Villa

Liverpool will aim to bring some festive cheer to the Anfield faithful when they take on Aston Villa in their Premier League Boxing Day showdown in the West Midlands.

The Reds returned to competitive action following the World Cup in Thursday's EFL Cup fourth-round meeting with Manchester City, who ended their title defence with a 3-2 win at the Etihad.

Jurgen Klopp's side are languishing in sixth place ahead of the resumption of the top flight, and fresh concerns have left the Liverpool boss scratching his head before Monday's trip to Villa Park.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Unai Emery's men, who occupy 12th place in the standings.

Ibrahima Konate

Status: Out Type of injury: Other Possible return date: December 30 (vs. Leicester City)

Klopp has confirmed that France centre-back Ibrahima Konate will not be back in training following the World Cup until December 27, so he will not be available at Villa Park.

Luis Diaz

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Luis Diaz has suffered a devastating setback in his recovery from a knee injury and was recently forced to undergo surgery, ruling him out of action until March at the earliest.

Arthur

Status: Out Type of injury: Thigh Possible return date: Unknown

Juventus loanee Arthur remains out of contention as he battles back from thigh surgery, which he underwent in October, and it will likely be another few weeks before the Brazilian can rejoin the group for training.

Diogo Jota

Status: Out Type of injury: Calf Possible return date: Unknown

Diogo Jota left the field on a stretcher after picking up a serious calf injury against Manchester City in October, which ruled him out of the World Cup. The Portuguese attacker is making good progress in his rehabilitation, but he will not be returning anytime soon.

James Milner

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: January 2 (vs. Brentford)

James Milner started at right-back in Liverpool's loss to Man City but had to come off in the first half after a hamstring twinge. The 36-year-old does not believe the issue is too serious, but he will nevertheless be absent for a couple of matches.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Illness Possible return date: December 26 (vs. Aston Villa)

Klopp revealed after Thursday's game that Trent Alexander-Arnold was unavailable due to illness, but the England international could fight off the virus in time to play on Monday.

Roberto Firmino

Status: Out Type of injury: Calf Possible return date: January 2 (vs. Brentford)

A couple of hours before kickoff at the Etihad, news broke of Roberto Firmino being ruled out of the match with a calf problem. Klopp subsequently revealed that the attacker had picked up the issue in training, and while it is not a "big" injury, he will also be sidelined for this one.

Curtis Jones

Status: Out Type of injury: Calf Possible return date: January 2 (vs. Brentford)

Curtis Jones has experienced a disrupted first half of the season due to a shin problem, and he is still one week away from returning to full training, so the Reds' trip to Brentford on January 2 has been pencilled in as his provisional comeback date.

LIVERPOOL'S SUSPENSION LIST

Liverpool have no players suspended for this match.