Liverpool team news vs Aston Villa today Sunday September 3, 2023 as Newsnow Liverpool explore 10 key facts to know about the Anfield clash with Van Dijk out for the Reds.
Without their two starting center-backs, Liverpool will face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. It will be another challenging game for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Last Saturday, the Reds surprised everyone by defeating Newcastle 2-1 thanks to an inspired Darwin Nunez and his 10-man team.
The remarkable Villa squad is scheduled to arrive on Sunday after they returned from a crushing loss to the Magpies on opening weekend and secured back-to-back victories. They also scored eight goals against Hibernian in the European qualification round.
Having only achieved a late draw against Unai Emery’s squad at home in the last home game of the previous season, Liverpool will need to be at their best when they take on them today.
The following are 10 important things know ahead of the Reds’ matchup with the Villans on Sunday afternoon.
Table of Contents
Liverpool Team News vs Aston Villa Today
Konate and Van Dijk are Not Playing
Going into Sunday’s game, there are many reasons to be optimistic, but there are legitimate issues at the back.
Virgil van Dijk is suspended and is expected to receive a longer suspension; Ibrahima Konate won’t return from his injury until after the international break.
As a result, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez are anticipated to start at centre back, which will be a significant test for the duo after disappointing seasons in 2023–2024.
Both performed admirably last weekend, but against a dynamic Villa assault that includes players like Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby, they will need to be at the top of their game.
Other Liverpool Injury News
Apart from Konate and Van Dijk’s absence, Liverpool’s injury concerns are lessening.
In an effort to step up his Reds career, Curtis Jones has returned to training and may make the matchday squad. Stefan Bajcetic is also a candidate.
However, Thiago is still out after experiencing a “little setback” in his recuperation, according to Klopp, and won’t be fully fit for a few more weeks. New signing As a result, Ryan Gravenberch was unable to register in time to join the matchday squad.
Predicted Liverpool Starting XI vs Aston Villa Today
Because the next international break eliminates the necessity for rotation, Liverpool’s strongest starting XI should be anticipated.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will flank Matip and Gomez, while Wataru Endo will have the chance to play with 10 teammates in front of the defenders!
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister are certain to start in the No. 8 positions, but the attack will require some consideration.
Nunez undoubtedly has a good case for the starting spot given his amazing impact at Newcastle, but Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota are also excellent choices.
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Nunez are possible starters for Liverpool.
Aston Villa Team News Against Liverpool Today
It’s fair to argue that former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard performed a mediocre job leading Villa, but the team has improved since Emery took over in October of last year.
The Spaniard oversaw an outstanding summer transfer window as his side qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League by finishing seventh in the Premier League.
Pau Torres, a highly regarded Spain international, has been added to strengthen the defence, while other fascinating additions include Youri Tielemans, Nicolo Zaniolo (on loan), and Diaby.
As previously indicated, a season-opening 5-1 thumping by Newcastle was concerning, but victories against Everton and Burnley have since brought the situation under control.
Aston Villa are now one of the top teams in the division outside of the conventional “big six,” and they will be a serious threat this weekend.
Predicted Aston Villa Starting XI Against Liverpool Today
Last Sunday, Villa easily defeated Burnley 3-1, so it would be surprising if their starting XI changed significantly against Anfield.
Following his triumphs with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, Emiliano Martinez continues to be one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers. He will start behind a likely back-three of Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, and Torres.
After sustaining a catastrophic knee injury against Newcastle, Tyrone Mings may miss the remainder of the season. Emiliano Bunedia, Jacob Ramsey, and ex-Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho are all out.
With Lucas Digne on the left side, Boubacar Kamara, and Douglas Luiz in midfield, Matty Cash should stay in the right wing-back position after scoring twice against Burnley.
Ollie Watkins will then likely be assisted in attack by Diaby and John McGinn as the latter looks to score his first league goal of the year.
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres; Cash, Kamara, Luiz, Digne; Diaby, McGinn; Watkins make up the projected Villa XI (3-4-2-1).
When Last Did Aston Villa Win Liverpool at Anfield?
While others may predict that Aston Villa will seriously hinder Liverpool on Sunday, their track record at Anfield is hardly encouraging for their supporters.
Their last Aston Villa won at Anfield was in 2014, when Brendan Rodgers’ rule began to deteriorate, and a Gabriel Agbonlahor goal proved to be the deciding factor between the two teams.
Since then, Liverpool have triumphed in four of the five Premier League matches played at Anfield, including a tough 1-0 victory over Gerrard’s Villa in December 2021, made possible by a Salah penalty.
But back in May, a late Roberto Firmino equalise was required to give Klopp’s team a 1-1 draw, which was an indication of their development under Emery.
Mohamed Salah is Not for Sale
Despite ongoing interest from Saudi Arabia, Klopp reaffirmed to the media on Friday that Mohamed Salah is not for sale this summer.
“There is no change to the situation. There’s no denying that. Salah cannot be [sold]. It is how it is. Nothing else to add.
Even though the Saudi transfer window doesn’t close until the next week, it would be a major surprise if Salah moved before a replacement could be found.
It seems far more plausible that he will be 32 the following summer and just have one year left on his present contract.
Nunez has unfairly received criticism since joining Liverpool, but overall, despite some hasty finishing, he has done a good job.
The 24-year-old’s 17 goals in his first 45 Reds outings are precisely the same number as Luis Suarez had in that span after his arrival.
Who’s to say the current Reds star can’t emulate his compatriot Nunez, who became one of Liverpool’s finest players as he became more used to the Premier League?
It might be unrealistic to expect him to perform at Suarez’s level, but this statistic demonstrates that football fans are sometimes far too quick to dismiss players.
Who is The Referee for Liverpool vs Aston Villa Today?
After the debacle at Newcastle the previous time around, all eyes will be on the officials again for the game on Sunday. Simon Hooper has been confirmed as the referee.
Last season, the 41-year-old was in charge of three Liverpool league games, the first of which was the 3-1 triumph against Southampton at home.
Hooper then presided over the 2-0 victory against Everton in the Merseyside derby as well as the agonising 4-1 loss away to Man City in April.
Don’t hold your breath for controversy to be avoided; worryingly, he failed to give Wolves a blatant late penalty against United earlier this month, when it was evident that Andre Onana had fouled Sasa Kalajdzic.
Follow The Game With TIA
Unfortunately, Sky Sports’ match of choice, Crystal Palace vs. Wolves, will be broadcast live on Sunday followed by Man United‘s trip to Arsenal (4.30pm), instead of Liverpool vs. Aston Villa.
As usual, TIA’s matchday live blog will be accessible, with Sam Millne keeping you amused starting at 1.15 p.m. (UK).