Liverpool lineup vs Aston Villa: Jota full debut, Fabinho in midfield

This is the Liverpool lineup as they take on Aston Villa.

Jurgen Klopp will be forced to make a few changes from the team that beat Arsenal 3-1 in the Premier League, the most concerning of which will be Sadio Mane.

Mane has picked up COVID-19, which makes him the third Liverpool player to do so after Kostas Tsimikas and Thiago.

That will mean a little rejig of the forward line and we may see Klopp spring a surprise here.

Aston Villa are yet to concede a goal in their two league games, but they’ve hardly been tested as Fulham and Sheffield United have attacks blunter than a prison butterknife.

Liverpool will be a whole different kettle of fish, and will be looking to impose themselves on Dean Smith’s side. Klopp talked about wanting to attack the league and they’ve certainly done that, scoring three goals against Leeds, two at Chelsea and then the three against Arsenal.

In theory this should be an easier fixture to navigate, but the Premier League has a habit of throwing a spanner in the works just when teams start to get overconfident.

Villa have bought well and strengthened several key areas. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez has provided more confidence at the back while Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore will be tricky customers to deal with up front.

It’s be the Liverpool ‘keeper’s job to keep Watkins and Traore from hitting their debut top flight goal for Smith, so let’s get our Liverpool lineup underway with that man.

Alisson Becker

There’s no prizes for guessing who it’ll be, because Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world; and possibly the most handsome too.

He sets the pace, pushes our attacks upfield and has the ability to make some world class saves as well. It was nice to Adrian during the week, but Alisson is back to claim his rightful place.