Liverpool team vs Aston Villa confirmed as Joe Gomez starts and Darwin Núñez decision made

As the Jürgen Klopp era ticks down, we have reached the final away match of his Liverpool tenure. And the German has picked his starting XI to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Klopp’s farewell tour is almost at an end, with his last game in charge against Wolves at Anfield less than a week away now. Before then though, a tough test against Unai Emery’s side awaits.

Villa can guarantee its place in next season’s Champions League with a win this evening. For Liverpool, there is nothing more than pride to play for, with a third-place finish now confirmed after wins for Manchester City and Arsenal ended any lingering title hopes.

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Ahead of tonight’s game, Andy Robertson was a fitness concern when he wasn't spotted in training on Friday. In his place comes Joe Gomez, who has deputized plenty of times at left-back during the course of the campaign. Darwin Núñez is on the bench again, with Cody Gakpo preferred through the center.

Confirmed Liverpool team vs Aston Villa: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliott, Endō, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Díaz

Earlier today, some of our Liverpool.com writers selected the starting XIs we would go for in tonight's game at Villa Park. You can see how close our selections were to Klopp's below.

Matt Addison - Curtis Jones returns

After a good performance against Spurs last week, there is no reason to make wholesale changes. The back four should stay the same, for me, with Jarell Quansah having done nothing wrong. He can stay in ahead of Ibrahima Konaté. Assuming Andy Robertson is fit (he wasn't spotted in training on Friday) he starts; otherwise, it will be Joe Gomez.

In midfield, Harvey Elliott simply has to stay in the side. I'm going to have Alexis Mac Allister as the number six with Curtis Jones to the left of him and Elliott to the right. Dominik Szoboszlai will have to make do with a place on the bench and Wataru Endō can drop out of the starting team.

In attack, I'm going with the same trio as last week. Darwin Núñez has caused Aston Villa problems in the past but I'm not sure it would be fair to take out either Cody Gakpo or Luis Díaz. Mohamed Salah starts, and Núñez can cause trouble from the bench with around half an hour to play.

My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Díaz

Predicted scoreline: 2-0 to Liverpool.

One thing to watch: Can Cody Gakpo continue his good form?

James Findlater - Don't risk Andy Robertson

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I’d be going with the same side that started the win over Tottenham last weekend, with one possible exception.

Andy Robertson is of course the big doubt after seemingly missing training. If he’s fit, then he should start, but if there is any kind of concern, then Joe Gomez can get the nod. It’s not worth risking such an important player with nothing left to play for other than points and pride.

I am somewhat tempted to bring Dominik Szoboszlai back into the side, but Harvey Elliott certainly doesn’t deserve to be dropped, and I do prefer Alexis Mac Allister in a more advanced role. Wataru Endō is therefore the best man for the job at number six, leaving no room for Szoboszlai, although he can play a part from the bench.

The front three looked close to being back to its best last week, so that stays as it was. Darwin Núñez might have a bit of a point to prove after an eventful week.

My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; , Endō, Mac Allister, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Díaz

Predicted scoreline: 2-1 to Liverpool.

One thing to watch: Mohamed Salah to get on the scoresheet again.

An original version of this story was first published earlier today. It has since been updated.