
Date: Saturday 20th May, 2023
Time: 3:00 pm
Stadium Anfield
Referee John Brooks (England)
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Liverpool
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that all of Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner would depart Liverpool upon the expiration of their contracts in June, and tributes will be paid to the quartet for their final home game in Merseyside red.
Klopp is optimistic that Firmino will recover from a muscular issue in time for his farewell Anfield appearance, but Keita is more uncertain, while Thiago Alcantara (hip), Stefan Bajcetic (adductor) and Calvin Ramsay (knee) remain out for the long-term.
Darwin Nunez has also joined the absentee list after a toe problem kept him out of the win over Leicester, but soon-to-be free agent Firmino would expect to temporarily demote the Uruguayan in the pecking order either way - a spot on the bench and emotional cameo role will await the former if he can prove his fitness in time.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Aston Villa
In contrast to his compatriot, Firmino's international teammate Philippe Coutinho will miss out on a reunion with his former club after picking up an unspecified injury, but the former Reds attacker would have only made the bench either way.
With Matty Cash returning to the matchday squad versus Tottenham after shaking off a calf problem, backup goalkeeper Jed Steer - who is out for the season with a calf injury of his own - will be the Lions' only other injury absentee for the trip to Anfield. Calum Chambers is expected to travel despite a recent illness.
Despite last week's victory, would not be a shock to see Boubacar Kamara reintroduced into the fray for a touch of midfield steel, in turn pushing Leon Bailey out of the XI as John McGinn takes up a wide role.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; Ramsey, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn; Buendia, Watkins
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa
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