Liverpool team vs Aston Villa predicted as Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones decisions made

Liverpool can make another big statement today as it faces Aston Villa in its final game before the international break.

The Reds sit top of the pile in the Premier League ahead of the late kick-off at Anfield, and will remain there over the next couple of weeks with a win over Unai Emery’s side this evening. With both Manchester City and Arsenal facing tricky games again this weekend, there could even be a chance for Arne Slot’s side to extend their advantage over their title rivals.

The Liverpool boss is once again without four players, with Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and Alisson Becker still out injured. Slot will be able to name a strong team though, and competition for places is fierce amid what has been a sensational start to the season.

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Caoimhin Kelleher will of course deputize again in goal for Alisson, with the back four in front of him likely to remain the same. Ibrahima Konate came through Tuesday’s win over Bayer Leverkusen fine after his injury scare against Brighton last weekend, so he should line up again alongside Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The big decision in defense comes at left-back, with Andy Robertson battling with Kostas Tsimikas to start. The latter seems to be just ahead in the pecking order at the moment, having started the last two games, and we’re going for the Greek to hold onto his place here.

Ryan Gravenberch will start as usual in the No.6 role, with Alexis Mac Allister partnering him in midfield – if nothing else, to ensure the Argentine picks up another yellow card and gets his one-match suspension out of the way before facing Man City.

Curtis Jones got the nod over Dominik Szoboszlai against Leverkusen, so you might expect Slot to go with the Hungarian today in order to keep the academy graduate fresh. Having made a big impact in his last two games though, we’re backing Jones to get another start.

Mohamed Salah takes his usual spot on the right of the attack, but the big question is how the rest of Liverpool’s front three will line up. Luis Diaz will surely start after his hat-trick during the week, but where?

The Colombian has given Slot another option in the No.9 role besides Darwin Nunez, and given the experiment worked in the Champions League, we see no reason why it should be ended. Therefore, it’s Diaz and Cody Gakpo who start for us, with Nunez having to make do with a place on the bench.

Liverpool predicted team vs Brighton: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Diaz.