Liverpool confirmed team news v Aston Villa: Two players ruled out
Liverpool are set to have players missing from their squad as they head to Aston Villa on Wednesday.
The Reds travel to Villa Park on 19 February in Premier League action as Arne Slot pushes for a better performance than the Anfield side offered against Wolves on Sunday (16 February).
The Merseyside outfit came away with all three points with a 2-1 win against Wolves but a poor second-half performance showed there is plenty to be done for Liverpool to secure the Premier League title.
Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez ruled out of Aston Villa clash
Cody Gakpo missed out against Wolves with Slot later confirming it was due to a knock the 25-year-old picked up in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
Slot said he had hoped that Gakpo would be available with the situation up for debate and although the boss revealed in his pre-match press conference (18 February) that he is “close to being back”, the game against Aston Villa is too soon.
Another who is set to miss out is Joe Gomez, who only lasted 11 minutes in his return against Plymouth Argyle before being forced off with injury again.
Slot confirmed that a hamstring injury will keep Gomez out for several weeks and when asked if he would require surgery, he replied: “He might but that is something we still need to assess.”
Arne Slot ready to be raring again
It has been a difficult season for Gomez who has struggled with minutes limited before picking up an injury this term which means he has just nine Premier League appearances.
Gakpo, on the other hand, has been an impressive part of the Reds side and scored eight goals and contributed three assists across 24 Premier League appearances.
However, the boss is fortunate to have an otherwise clean bill of health and given Villa have been somewhat out of form lately, Liverpool will be ready for a stronger performance in the West Midlands.
Even without playing their best football, the Merseyside outfit have been able to come away from certain games with all three points throughout the term, which is exactly what potential champions do.
With a busy period ahead and the Carabao Cup final next month, it is important for Slot not to rush any of his players back sooner than they are ready and instead, allow his squad to be at maximum fitness when on the pitch.