Liverpool host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon without both first-choice centre-backs in another test for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Premier League (4) | Anfield
September 3, 2023 | 14:00 (BST)
The Reds scored a stunning 2-1 win at Newcastle last weekend, led by an inspired 10-man side led by Darwin Nunez to victory.
Next up on Sunday are the impressive Villa, who bounced back from marauding Magpies on the opening weekend to secure back-to-back wins – they also hit eight against Hibernian in European qualifying. Liverpool will need to be at their best when they face Unai Emery’s side, having managed a draw at home in their last home game last season.
Here are 10 things you need to know ahead of the Reds’ clash with the Villans:
1. Not Van Dijk or Konate
While there are many positives in Sunday’s game, there is a major concern behind it.
Virgil van Dijk is suspended and likely to face an extended ban, while Ibrahima Konate will not return from injury until after the international break.
That means Joel Matip and Joe Gomez must start at centre-back, a big test for the pair after poor seasons in 2023/24. Both performed well for the most part last weekend, but will need to be at the top of their game against a lively Villa attack featuring Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby.
2. Other injury news
Apart from the absence of Van Dijk and Konate, Liverpool’s injury concerns are easing.
Curtis Jones is back in training and could make the matchday squad as he bids for a fresh start in his Reds career, while Stefan Bajcetic is also in contention.
However, Thiago is still out as Klopp says he suffered a “small setback” in his recovery, meaning the Spaniard will not be fit for a few weeks. Recently signed Ryan Gravenberch was not registered in the matchday squad in time.
3. Predicted Liverpool XI
Then for the international break, Klopp won’t have to worry about rotation, so expect Liverpool to have the strongest possible starting line-up.
Matip and Gomez will be joined by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, while in front of the defender, Wataru Endo will have the opportunity to play with 10 teammates!
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister look set to start in the No.8 role, but there is a big decision to be made.
Nunez’s incredible impact at Newcastle certainly gives him a good starting point, but Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota are also strong options. Possible Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, MacAllister; Salah, Diaz, Nunez
4. Aston Villa will update the squad
It’s fair to say that Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard did a great job as Villa manager, but they have changed since Emery replaced him last October.
The Spaniard led his side to seventh in the Premier League, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, and they enjoyed an impressive summer transfer window.
Highly rated Spaniard Pau Torres has moved into defence, while Youri Tielemans, Nicolo Zaniolo (loan) and Diaby also represent interesting signings.
As mentioned, the 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle was a worrying start to the season, but wins over Everton and Burnley steadied the ship. Outside the traditional ‘big six’, Villa are one of the leading sides in the division at the moment and pose a serious threat this weekend.
5. Probable Village from XI
Villa comfortably beat Burnley 3-1 last Sunday and it would be a surprise if their starting position was much different at Anfield.
Emiliano Martinez remains one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League after his exploits with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup and is likely to start behind Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos and Torres.
Tyrone Mings could be out for the season after suffering a serious knee injury against Newcastle, while Emiliano Bunedia, Jacob Ramsey and ex-Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho are also out. Matty Cash scored twice for Burnley and should continue at right-back. Lucas Digne on the left and Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz in midfield.
Diaby and John McGinn should support Ollie Watkins in attack as the latter looks for his first league goal of the season.
Predicted Villa XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres; Cash, Kamara, Luiz, Digne; Diaby, McGinn; Watkins.
6. Salah isn’t going anywhere…
Speaking to the media on Friday, Klopp reiterated that despite continued interest from Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Salah is not for sale this summer:
“The position remains the same, absolutely. There is no doubt. We cannot [sell Salah]. That is correct. There is nothing else to say.”
Although the Saudi transfer window does not close until next week, it would be an almighty shock if Salah left without time to replace him.
Next summer looks much more likely when he turns 32 with just one year left on his current contract. 7. Nine years without an Anfield win
While neutrals may think that Villa will cause Liverpool serious problems on Sunday, their record at Anfield makes grim reading for their supporters.
Their last win there came back in September 2014, when Gabriel Agbonlahor’s strike proved to be the difference between the two sides as Brendan Rodgers’ reign turned sour.
Since then, Liverpool have won four of their five Premier League matches at Anfield, including a hard-earned 1-0 win at Gerrard’s Villa in December 2021 thanks to a Salah penalty.
In May, it took a late equalizer from Roberto Firmino to draw Klopp’s men 1-1, a sign of their improvement under Emery. 8. Did you know
Nunez has taken an unfair beating since joining Liverpool, although in truth he has generally done a good job despite the sudden end.
The 24-year-old scored 17 goals in his first 45 games for the Reds, the same number as Luis Suarez managed.
Nunez’s compatriot ended up becoming one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history during his time in the Premier League, and who’s to say the Reds’ current hero can’t do the same? It may be unfair to expect him to reach Suarez’s level, but this statistic shows that football fans can
