Liverpool predicted XI to face Aston Villa as Arne Slot picks £41m player for two games running for first time since October

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Aston Villa is the next challenge standing in front of Liverpool and their quest for the Premier League title.

Liverpool were underwhelming against Wolves last time out as the Reds failed to have a single shot on goal in the second half. However, Arne Slot’s men would secure the three points with a 2-1 win.

This was the result the Premier League leaders needed after the disappointing ending to the Merseyside Derby and being eliminated from the FA Cup, but things do not get any easier this week.

Liverpool travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday before facing Man City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, which will require Slot to pick his starting team for the trip to Birmingham strategically.

The Reds boss will not want his team arriving in Manchester shattered and with that in mind, here is the XI we think he’ll go with against Aston Villa.

• READ MORE: Arne Slot has been playing one Liverpool player in the wrong position and it was clear against Wolves

Defence

Having failed to keep clean sheets in Liverpool’s two most recent matches, Alisson Becker will be looking to change that at Aston Villa as no surprises are expected in the goalkeeping position.

The Wolves game saw Trent Alexander-Arnold return from his injury issue and that time out showed that the right-back was underwhelming against the Midlands club but is expected to keep his place for Aston Villa.

There could be a change at left-back, however, as Kostas Tsimikas could come in for Andy Robertson as the Scotland star has started both the Everton and Wolves games.

Finishing off the back line for Slot will be Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The French star got a 45-minute break on Sunday after the centre-back was taken off due to fears of the defender picking up a second yellow.

Jamie Carragher criticised Konate for his actions, but this should see the 25-year-old come back fresh for the Villa clash with the France international looking to prove a point.

Midfield

Slot has played the same midfield trio in Liverpool’s last six Premier League games and with the Reds facing a tough trip to Villa Park on Wednesday, there is no reason to think the Dutch coach will change this.

The Reds boss’ preferred midfield three all season has been Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, with the trio proving to be very reliable for the Premier League leaders.

All three are set to begin Wednesday’s game from the off, which will concern fans of the Merseyside club, as fatigue could play a big role during this phase of the season.

• READ MORE: Bayern Munich president gives update on Joshua Kimmich’s future after Liverpool make move behind the scenes

ATTACK

Liverpool will be without Cody Gakpo for their trip to Aston Villa and that will provide Diogo Jota with the chance to step up for the Reds.

Having arrived from Wolves as part of a £41m deal in 2020, the Portuguese star started against his former club on Sunday and should he feature from the beginning on Wednesday, it will be the first time the forward has started back-to-back games in the Premier League since October.

The 28-year-old will certainly be partnered by Mohamed Salah on Wednesday as the Egyptian star cannot be afforded rest at present.

Some may argue that Federico Chiesa should be given a chance against Villa but that is a route Slot is unlikely to go down.

Luis Diaz made a big impact for Liverpool against Wolves having returned to his preferred left-wing position and the Colombian is expected to take up that role again on Wednesday night.