Liverpool make their Premier League return tomorrow with a Boxing Day trip to Aston Villa.
The Reds are actually searching for their third league win on the bounce, having hit some form just before the break. Villa themselves are also looking for a hat-trick of victories, with Unai Emery overseeing something of a new manager bounce at Villa Park.
This is by no means an easy game for Liverpool to come back into. But it’s one that they must really win.
With one or two injuries ruling out important players, Jurgen Klopp has a little bit to think about. A couple of players also enhanced their chances of featuring during Thursday’s loss against Manchester City. So, here’s how we think Liverpool will line up.
Defence
After sitting out of Thursday’s game completely, Alisson Becker will make his return tomorrow. In-front of him though, we don’t think Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to be ready after a bout of illness.
Instead, we’re expecting to see Joe Gomez reprise his role from the second half of Thursday’s game, at right-back. Virgil van Dijk is almost certain to return after an elongated break, while Joel Matip should be a shoo-in next to him.
Andy Robertson was full of industry mid-week and will surely go again here, too.
Midfield
Klopp reverted to something more resembling a 4-3-3 against City, and we think that’s a sign that he’ll do the same tomorrow.
Thankfully, the manager now has all of his preferred midfield trio back, fit and available. As a result, Monday’s three should read: Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson. Simple.
Attack
This is where things become a little difficult for Klopp. There is some worry that Darwin Nunez wasn’t pictured in training yesterday, but for now, we’re assuming he’s fit. So, the Uruguayan starts through the middle.
To his right is bound to be Mohamed Salah, who returned to action with a goal against City.
Then, the Liverpool left is where the wildcard comes in. Without Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and now Roberto Firmino, Klopp’s options are thin on the ground.
Fabio Carvalho was given the nod against City. But despite his goal, the 20-year-old didn’t do enough to earn another start at Villa Park. Instead, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should get the nod for his first Premier League start of the season. He looked good off the bench against City and should have plenty of incentive to catch the eye.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Aston Villa: Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Oxlade-Chamberlain
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