Liverpool line-ups for Aston Villa as Darwin Nunez decision and major defensive changes made

Paul Gorst - Darwin Nunez on the bench as no changes made

The penultimate game of the season with third a place already secured might usually offer a manager the chance to get a look at what will be coming down the pipeline after a long old campaign.

But for Jurgen Klopp, there’s no real need to start assessing things with a view to next season and the chance to break the 80-point barrier once more will be the incentive at Villa Park tonight.

Given there’s been eight days between fixtures once more, a well-rested Reds squad will be fresh against a Villa side who have looked leggy in recent weeks after a superb campaign of their own.

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I don’t anticipate too many changes from that win over Tottenham last week as a result. The likes of Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah all deserve to keep their place and I think Darwin Nunez’s pace can cause a tiring high line problems off the bench later in the game.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Elliott, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.

Ian Doyle - Goalkeeper and defence completely changed

Aston Villa in the Premier League, and it's the final away game of Jurgen Klopp's reign. And while there is no room for sentiment in football, this might be the one evening where that is ignored.

Well, it would be if I had anything to do with it. Because I'd be chucking in a load of fringe players as a way of thanks for what they've done for Klopp over the years.

That means Caoimhin Kelleher can go back in goal for one night only. And the defence can have a completely new look, with Joe Gomez partnering Ibrahima Konate at centre-back, Kostas Tsimikas on the left and Conor Bradley on the right.

In midfield, there will be some continuity in Wataru Endo playing as the number six. Curtis Jones, though, can come in on the left of the triumvirate, and Harvey Elliott is deserving of another start to the right.

Up top, Darwin Nunez can play down the middle, with Luis Diaz on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.

Theo Squires - Darwin Nunez returns and change at left-back

With Liverpool’s third-place finish already set in stone, it hardly matters what team takes to the field against Aston Villa.

But the penultimate match and final away day of Jurgen Klopp’s Reds reign, the desire to see Liverpool finish the season strongly remains. With victory securing Champions League qualification for Aston Villa, this is certainly not a dead-rubber.

Following Klopp’s defence of Darwin Nunez at his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Uruguayan can come back into the starting XI and start upfront. He could certainly do with ending his drought before the end of the campaign.

Cody Gakpo moves to the left-wing as Luis Diaz drops out, with Mohamed Salah completing the attacking trio. Meanwhile, the midfield is unchanged as Harvey Elliott keeps his place after a terrific showing against Tottenham Hotspur.

In defence, Jarell Quansah also retains his spot, ahead of Ibrahima Konate, while Joe Gomez can come in at left-back after Andy Robertson missed training.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliott, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo,