Liverpool face a stern test of their Premier League credentials this evening as they travel to Villa Park to face Unai Emery’s new-look Aston Villa with the chance to raise the stakes in the title race with Arsenal.
Arne Slot’s side have won four of their last five league outings with the only blip in their recent form being the dubious but predictably dramatic final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
In these games, they’ve scored 14 goals but there has been an over-reliance on Mohamed Salah for inspiration in the final third with the Egyptian having a hand in nine.
Only Gakpo (2), Jota (1) and Diaz (1) have a goal in the last five games and in such a crucial game, Salah needs his attacking partners to match his quality to increase the pressure on Arsenal even more.
With a win tonight, Slot and his players can take a 10-point lead for the first time this season with three days until Mikel Arteta’s side face West Ham.
Villa have looked sharp in their last few games since the January transfer window closed with new signings Marcus Rashford (loan), Marco Asensio (loan), Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia providing a significant boost to their squad.
Liverpool would do well to approach the game with a total lack of complacency. While this is a chance to go further ahead in the title race, it is a potential banana skin against a dangerous Villa side coached by a world-class manager.
So, who should Arne Slot start to face Aston Villa tonight?
As always, this is dependent on what Villa are likely to go with but that’s quite difficult to predict given the new signings at Emery’s disposal.
Fortunately, Slot has a proven formula that should work even if Villa pose a credible threat to Liverpool’s title challenge at a pivotal moment.
Goalkeeper – Alisson Becker
After the Brazilian’s game-saving stop to deny Wolves’ half-time substitute Marshall Munetsi, Slot will be hoping the 32-year-old won’t be needed but Liverpool should feel comfortable with him in goal tonight.
He did twist his ankle a bit during that save but after he received treatment and finished the game, he should be fit to play.
Left-back – Kostas Tsimikas in for Andy Robertson
Unfortunately, the Scotsman had a game to forget with just 80% of his passes finding the mark.
In total, he lost the ball 18 times with his overall play sloppy and careless.
Robertson has not been very consistent this season and while Kostas Tsimikas can lose his concentration at times as well, it’s fair he gets a chance after Robbo failed to impress at the weekend.
Left centre-back – Virgil van Dijk
Need I say more? The skipper was once again fantastic against Wolves and although he and Konate were split in two for the 1v1 between Alisson and Munetsi, it was a fantastic bit of interplay between Munetsi and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde so van Dijk was hardly at fault.
Right centre-back – Ibrahima Konate
The Frenchman was careless and sloppy against Wolves and had to be taken off after making a second late challenge after being booked. Jarell Quansah came in and made a game-saving interception to deny Wolves a winner but Konate will keep his spot.
Right-back – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Honestly, with the way Trent has been playing, this isn’t as clear-cut as it should be. If Conor Bradley were to start, I wouldn’t have an issue with it per se, but it’s fair to expect better from Alexander-Arnold.
His contract situation may be impacting his form with it not clear whether or not he will stay but with Villa likely to have more attacking impetus than in recent meetings given their new signings, the Scouser needs to be sharp if he starts.
Defensive midfield – Ryan Gravenberch
I have no notes for Gravenberch this season. He’s by no means perfect but until I can accurately describe what he could be in the coming years, I’m happy for him to do whatever he is already doing because it’s a huge factor in Liverpool’s title challenge.
Left-midfield – Alexis-Mac Allister
How reliable is Macca?
The 26-year-old really is what you expect from a World Cup winner – every game, he is exactly where needs to be.
He quietly operates with scarily consistent displays of high technical quality, ticking the game over for Liverpool. He is the metronome in this side and the balance that he brings to the side will be vital at Villa Park tonight.
Right midfield – Dominik Szoboszlai
While he didn’t seem to quite grasp the role Arne Slot had in mind for him at the start of the season, the Hungarian national team captain has matured in the last few months and is beginning to show that swagger we saw at RB Leipzig with more regularity. His role is more reserved at Liverpool but his technical class shines through in the way he breaks the lines and eases pressure for the Reds.
Striker – Diogo Jota
The Portuguese forward should retain his place even if it would be good if we don’t see a repeat of his simulation against Wolves. In all fairness, he should have been booked for it.
That being said, he’s fit and when Jota is fit, he scores goals.
As I mentioned before, we need Salah to be supported in terms of goalscoring load and this attack does that.
Right-wing – None other than Mohamed Salah
The man himself.
In 25 Premier games this season, Mohamed Salah has scored 23 goals and assisted 14. His form this season has been one of the most eye-catching and efficient displays ever in England.
The only reason he doesn’t have more goals or assists is that every opposition’s defensive game plan revolves entirely around isolating him and denying him space around the box.
Full XI: Alisson, Tsimikas, van Dijk, Konate, Trent, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Jota, Salah.
*For the Wolves game, I guessed nine out of eleven correctly. Let’s see how many I get right tonight.
