Klopp gives 24-year-old his first start of the season: Liverpool’s expected starting XI against Aston Villa

Liverpool are looking for their third Premier League victory this weekend, with Aston Villa visiting Anfield.

It’s shaping up to be a tricky game for the Reds who will be without several key players.
With Ibrahima Konate injured, Virgil van Dijk suspended and new signing Ryan Gravenberch also unavailable, there are some notable absences.

But Jurgen Klopp can still field a solid Liverpool XI.
Here’s the team we’re thinking of selecting for tomorrow’s kick-off at 2pm.

Defense

Without their first-choice centre-back, the Reds will need Alisson Becker more than ever.
He was really good last time and let’s hope it continues like that here.

If Alisson was brilliant against Newcastle, Trent Alexander-Arnold was rather less brilliant. But the 24-year-old should be given the chance to play at Anfield again.

In the absence of Konate and Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip will certainly face Unai Emery’s men.
As a left-back, there’s no reason not to expect Andy Robertson to start.

Midfield

Even if Gravenberch can’t be used here and Thiago Alcantara is still injured, Liverpool can once again call on Curtis Jones.

However, we don’t believe that Jurgen will bring Scouser back into the field against Villa.

Instead we think the manager will try to get some consistency in midfield and aim for the same trio that started at St James’ Park.

This means Wataru Endo is in the starting lineup, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister on either side.

Attack

In attack, Klopp has to make a real decision. After Darwin Nunez’s winning brace last week, the Uruguayan is the starting point to hammer on the goal.

Having played three games in reserve so far – and scored two goals – we think Darwin will finally get the win here.
He earned it.

With all the confusion surrounding him right now, Mohamed Salah’s place in the squad is perhaps less secure than usual.
But we still can’t see a world where the Egyptian won’t play tomorrow.

Luis Diaz is expected to complete the trio, with Cody Gakpo missing for the first time this season.

Liverpool’s expected line-up against Aston Villa: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Endo, MacAllister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

More news…….

Liverpool have reach agreement for €40 million rated ace; medical due on Friday

It a deal on Friday for one of their long-term goals. At 21, Ryan Gravenberch of FC Bayern Munich still has a lot to do as a player and also has the best years of his career ahead of him.

As The Athletic’s David Ornstein (subscription required) reports, the Reds are paying €40m for the player and signing him on a long-term basis.

He is due to fly to Liverpool on Thursday evening and undergo a medical on Friday before putting his work down on paper.

Although it could be said that Gravenberch is more of a central midfielder than a defender given that Klopp needs the latter, it’s a safe bet that the coach will try to use him there. It’s possible that it will also take some time for him to settle down at Anfield as there have been no Bundesliga games since leaving Ajax.

Athletic (subscription required) also point out that he has played part of a game this season after being substituted off the bench and has made just three starts in the entire 2022/23 campaign at Bayern .

Given the relative importance of the signing, the sooner he commits to the Reds the better.

More news…….

Liverpool urge to agree to sign £25m player before deadline – report

Liverpool have only strengthened their midfield in the current transfer window and have not improved any other department so far.

According to the media, they are pushing to sign Belgian international and PSV Eindhoven striker Johan Bakayoko.

According to an exclusive report from Football Insider, Liverpool are pushing to land the Eredivisie star before the transfer window closes on Friday.

In a separate story, the news source revealed that the Reds had to accept a transfer fee of £25million in order to poach the player from the Dutch giants.

Bakayoko is a fast winger who can play effectively on either wing, but mainly plays on the right wing. Liverpool have experienced players like Diaz, Gakpo, Nunez and even Jota who can play on the left wing but only Salah and Young, Ben Doak on the right wing.

In such a scenario, the arrival of Bakayoko would reinforce the depth of RW’s position. Last season, the youngster made 39 appearances for PSV and contributed directly to 15 goals (9 goals and 6 assists).

As for the current season, he has delivered 4 assists in 6 starts so far under Peter Bosz.

He made his senior international debut in March this year and has scored one goal and provided one assist in four appearances (one in the starting XI) for Belgium. Do you think Liverpool should accept a £25m transfer fee to secure the signing of Johan Bakayoko?