Team News: Darwin Nunez starts for Liverpool against Aston Villa

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has been brought in for his first Premier League start of the season in the Reds' clash with Aston Villa at Anfield.

The Uruguay international has been rewarded for his heroic cameo off the bench in last weekend's 2-1 win over Newcastle United and is one of three changes made by Jurgen Klopp.

Cody Gakpo makes way for Jota, while Wataru Endo has also been kept waiting for his first Anfield start, as Curtis Jones joins Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield.

With Virgil van Dijk suspended and Ibrahima Konate injured, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip will form an unfamiliar central pairing in front of Alisson Becker, while new signing Ryan Gravenberch has not made the squad.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who comes back in between the sticks as Robin Olsen is demoted to the bench.

Unai Emery has otherwise kept faith with the same 10 outfield players from last weekend's win over Burnley, while Clement Lenglet and Nicolo Zaniolo are both included among the substitutes.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Matip, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Gakpo, Jota, Tsimikas, Bajcetic, Doak, Quansah

Aston Villa: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres; Cash, Kamara, Luiz, Digne; McGinn, Diaby; Watkins Subs: Olsen, Tielemans, Lenglet, Chambers, Zaniolo, Duran, Bailey, Dendoncker, Kellyman