Liverpool host Aston Villa within the Premier League on Sunday afternoon with out each first-choice centre-backs, in what’s one other testing recreation for Jurgen Klopp‘s aspect.
Liverpool vs. Aston Villa
Premier League (4) | Anfield
September 3, 2023 | 2pm (BST)
The Reds picked up a shocking 2-1 win at Newcastle final weekend, with an impressed Darwin Nunez steering his 10-man aspect to victory.
Subsequent up is Sunday’s go to of a formidable Villa outfit, who’ve recovered from a gap weekend mauling by the Magpies, securing back-to-back triumphs – they’ve additionally hit eight in opposition to Hibernian within the European qualifying spherical.
Liverpool will must be at their greatest once they face Unai Emery’s staff, having solely managed a late draw at house to them within the last house recreation of final season.
Listed here are 10 issues to know forward of the Reds’ conflict with the Villans:
1. No Van Dijk or Konate
Whereas there’s lots to really feel constructive about going into Sunday’s match, there are actual considerations on the again.
Virgil van Dijk misses out via suspension, with an prolonged ban prone to come his approach, whereas Ibrahima Konate received’t be again from harm till after the worldwide break.
Which means Joel Matip and Joe Gomez are anticipated to begin at centre-back, in what might be a giant check of the pair following poor seasons in 2023/24.
Each largely did properly final weekend however they are going to must be on the high of the sport in opposition to a vibrant Villa assault that includes the likes of Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby.
2. Different harm information
Away from the absence of Van Dijk and Konate, Liverpool’s harm worries are easing.
Curtis Jones has been again in coaching and will make the matchday squad as he seems to be to achieve one other gear in his Reds profession, whereas Stefan Bajcetic can also be in rivalry.
Thiago continues to be out, nevertheless, having suffered a “little setback” in his restoration, in accordance with Klopp, so the Spaniard received’t be again match for one more few weeks.
New signing Ryan Gravenberch was not registed in time to be a part of the matchday squad.
3. Predicted Liverpool XI
With the worldwide break to come back subsequent, Klopp doesn’t want to fret about rotation, so Liverpool’s strongest potential beginning XI is to be anticipated.
Matip and Gomez might be flanked by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, whereas in entrance of the defence, Wataru Endo might be given an opportunity to play with 10 teammates!
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister look nailed-on to begin within the No.8 roles, however a giant determination must be in assault.
Nunez’s unimaginable impression at Newcastle absolutely places him in a powerful place to begin, however Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota are robust choices, too.
Attainable Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Nunez
4. Aston Villa a staff on the up
It’s truthful to say that Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard did an underwhelming job as Villa supervisor, however they’ve been reworked since Emery changed him final October.
The Spaniard guided his aspect to a seventh-place end within the Premier League, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Convention League, and so they have loved a formidable summer time switch window.
Extremely-rated Spain worldwide Pau Torres has are available in to certain up the defence, whereas Youri Tielemans, Nicolo Zaniolo (mortgage) and Diaby additionally characterize intriguing signings.
As talked about, a 5-1 thrashing by Newcastle was an alarming begin to the season, however wins over Everton and Burnley have steadied the ship.
Exterior of the normal ‘large six’, Villa are one of many main sides within the division today, and they’re going to pose a giant risk this weekend.
5. Seemingly Villa beginning XI
Villa comfortably noticed off Burnley in a 3-1 win final Sunday and it will be a shock if their beginning XI was a lot totally different at Anfield.
Emiliano Martinez stays one of many Premier League‘s greatest goalkeepers, following his 2022 World Cup heroics with Argentina, and he’ll begin behind a probable back-three of Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos and Torres.
Tyrone Mings might be out for the entire season after struggling a severe knee harm in opposition to Newcastle, whereas Emiliano Bunedia, Jacob Ramsey and ex-Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho are additionally out.
Matty Money scored twice at Burnley and will proceed without any consideration wing-back, with Lucas Digne on the left aspect, and Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz in midfield.
Diaby and John McGinn are then anticipated to assist Ollie Watkins in assault, with the latter searching for his first league aim of the season.
Predicted Villa XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres; Money, Kamara, Luiz, Digne; Diaby, McGinn; Watkins.
6. Salah goes nowhere…
Chatting with the media on Friday, Klopp reiterated that Mohamed Salah shouldn’t be on the market this summer time, regardless of continued curiosity from Saudi Arabia:
“The place stays the identical, completely. Little doubt about that. We can’t [sell Salah]. That’s how it’s. Nothing else to say.”
Whereas the Saudi switch window doesn’t shut till subsequent week, it will be an almighty shock if Salah left, with no time to switch him.
Subsequent summer time feels way more possible, at which factors he might be 32 and can solely have one 12 months remaining on his present deal.
7. 9 years with out an Anfield win
Whereas neutrals could also be fancying Villa to trigger Liverpool actual issues on Sunday, their file at Anfield makes for grim studying for his or her supporters.
Their final win there got here again in September 2014, when a Gabriel Agbonlahor strike proved to be the distinction between the 2 sides, as Brendan Rodgers’ reign began to go bitter.
Since then, Liverpool have received 4 of the 5 Premier League conferences which have taken place at Anfield, together with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Gerrard’s Villa in December 2021, due to a Salah penalty.
A late Roberto Firmino equaliser was wanted again in Could to earn Klopp’s males a 1-1 draw, nevertheless, which was an indication of their enchancment beneath Emery.
8. Did You Know?
Nunez has taken some unfair flak since becoming a member of Liverpool, when in reality he has carried out a strong job total, regardless of some rash ending.
The 24-year-old has scored 17 targets in his first 45 appearances for the Reds, which is precisely the identical tally as Luis Suarez managed in that point when he arrived.
Nunez’s compatriot ended up being one of many biggest gamers in Liverpool’s historical past as he grew extra accustomed to the Premier League, and who’s to say the present Reds hero can’t do comparable?
Anticipating him to achieve Suarez’s stage might be unfair, however this statistic reveals that soccer followers could be far too fast to write down gamers off.
9. Simon Hooper takes cost
Simon Hooper has been confirmed because the referee for Sunday’s recreation, with all eyes set to be on the officers as soon as once more, following the farce at Newcastle final time round.
The 41-year-old took cost of three Liverpool league video games final season, the primary of which was the 3-1 victory at house to Southampton.
Hooper then oversaw the 2-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton, in addition to the galling 4-1 defeat away to Man Metropolis in April.
Worryingly, he did not award Wolves a blatant late penalty at United earlier this month, when it was clear that Andre Onana had fouled Sasa Kalajdzic, so don’t maintain your breath relating to controversy being averted.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Frustratingly, Liverpool vs. Aston Villa is NOT reside on Sky Sports activities on Sunday, with their match of alternative Crystal Palace vs. Wolves as an alternative, adopted by Man United‘s journey to Arsenal (4.30pm).
TIA’s matchday reside weblog might be out there as all the time, nevertheless, with Sam Millne holding you entertained from 1.15pm (UK).
Come on you Reds!
