How Liverpool could line up against Aston Villa

By Barney Corkhill | 08 Apr 2021 16:49, Last updated: 04 Jun 2025 23:31

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may have one eye on Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid when it comes to his team selection for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Aston Villa.

The Reds have no new injury concerns following Tuesday's first leg, but Klopp could look to rest players and may also want to make changes due to the level of his side's performance in their 3-1 defeat in Madrid.

Naby Keita's first-half withdrawal was for tactical reasons rather than due to an injury, meaning that he is in contention to feature, although Klopp may instead opt for the experience of James Milner against his former club.

Thiago Alcantara was a surprise absentee from the starting lineup in midweek, but his introduction before half time suggests that he will start the return leg and may therefore be held back this weekend.

Roberto Firmino also missed out from the start in Madrid and is therefore expected to return to the XI in this match, with at least one of Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane set to be rested.

Of those, Mane is perhaps the most likely to start given that he has eight goals in seven previous appearances against Aston Villa across all competitions.

Xherdan Shaqiri is pushing for a start if Salah sits out, although Klopp will also be wary of rotating too much with Saturday's game also likely to be pivotal to their top-four hopes this season.

Revenge will also be on the agenda for the Reds following their embarrassing 7-2 defeat at the hands of Villa in the reverse fixture six months ago.

That result came while Liverpool still had a fully-fit defence too, but Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip remain sidelined for this one, while Jordan Henderson, Divock Origi and Caoimhin Kelleher are also out.

Liverpool possible starting lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Milner, Fabinho, Jones; Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane

> Click here to see how Aston Villa could line up for this contest