View: 30% Darwin Nunez decision made – Liverpool predicted XI v Aston Villa
Arne Slot could leave Darwin Nunez out of his Liverpool starting lineup again to face Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Reds welcome Aston Villa to Anfield [9 November] looking to retain the top spot in the Premier League heading into the international break.
Nunez was forced to watch from the substitutes bench as his teammates marched to a statement 4-0 victory against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday [5 November]. He could miss out yet again in an unchanged side.
Arne Slot to name an unchanged Liverpool side v Aston Villa
Caoimhin Kelleher will be expected to continue in goal for the Reds, he had little to do midweek until a sensational double save in the closing stages against Leverkusen, making four saves across the 90 minutes [Sofascore].
Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled to exert his usual influence on the match on Tuesday, completing only 75 per cent of his passes, 20 per cent of his long balls, and lost possession 16 times. However, with the international break on the horizon, the full-back should resume his role against Aston Villa with the usual pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate lining up in central defence.
Andy Robertson is facing a fight to regain his place in the side following the resurgence of Kostas Tsimikas. The Greek international continued his stellar form against Leverkusen, winning 100 per cent of his ground duels with four interceptions and completing 90 per cent of his passes, and will be expected to continue on the weekend to complete the backline.
Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation this year and should continue as the midfield anchor, he won 83 per cent of his duels and completed 94 per cent of his passes with three key passes and one big chance created in the Champions League.
Alexis Mac Allister is another who will be expected to return to the starting lineup to face Aston Villa but Dominik Szoboszlai should be resigned to the bench once again.
Curtis Jones is looking better by the week and completed 90 per cent of his passes with three key passes and one big chance created for one assist midweek. The Scouser is in undroppable form at the moment.
Arne Slot to name Luis Diaz to lead the line for Liverpool v Aston Villa
Mohamed Salah recorded two assists from two big chances created and found teammates with five key passes in the Champions League and should be selected on the right flank but also should see his game time managed more efficiently should Federico Chiesa return to fitness after the international break.
Nunez disappointed yet again in his last start for the Reds, in the 2-1 win against Brighton. The Uruguayan recorded only one shot on target, completed 60 per cent of his 10 passing attempts, and won only 30 per cent of his ground duels.
Luis Diaz produced arguably his best outing in a Liverpool shirt as the central forward against Leverkusen. The Colombian scored a hattrick from three shots on target for a shot conversion rate of 100 per cent, Slot would be foolish not to utilise Diaz through the middle on the weekend.
Cody Gakpo should complete the forward line on the left flank – he managed to find the back of the net midweek despite a quiet performance from the Dutchman but he is in sensational goalscoring form for Liverpool.
In other Liverpool news, Matt Beard shares an injury update on Fuka Nagano ahead of Liverpool Women’s clash against Chelsea.
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