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

Jota, Firmino, Salah

Mane coming down with COVID will force Klopp into a rethink; probably earlier than he’d planned. We’re used to seeing new signings take a while before they’re thrown into the side, but now’s the time for Diogo Jota.

Jota will start on the left of this predicted Liverpool lineup but will need to work on being more clinical in front of goal. He could have had a hat-trick in his substitute appearance against the Gunners and was a bit wasteful in the Carabao Cup.

Still, he’s a pressing machine and fits into the team well. It’s going to be exciting to see what he can do.

Roberto Firmino is the engine but he’s under pressure from Takumi Minamino a little bit – it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him left out of Premier League games for the Japanese international once the Champions League comes around.

Mohamed Salah will always start when available, even if he was handed a shock nod for the League Cup fixture. He’s such a massive part of the team, he’s truly elite, and you don’t just leave players like that out of your XI.

There’s a chance Klopp might go for something a little different in either a 4-2-3-1 or shifting Divock Origi out left or centrally, but that’s a low chance.