Liverpool lineup vs Aston Villa: Minamino in, Mane and Firmino dropped

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Rhys Williams, Liverpool (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

RB – Neco Williams

There’s every chance of Klopp resting Trent Alexander-Arnold so it gives the Welsh international a good chance to make his 11th appearance of the season and eighth start.

Williams has often shown his inexperience this season but has also managed to show some glimpses. The match against Villa will give the teenager a good opportunity to try and impress Klopp.

CB – Rhys Williams

The injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez has given the young defenders a chance to get some exposure at the big stages and Williams is among them. The teenager has gone from playing in the National League last season to making six starts for Liverpool’s senior team.

Fabinho could well need a rest which would propel Klopp to start Williams, making it his 11th appearance of 2020/21. The teenager did not have the best of matches against West Brom, giving away the corner which led to the Baggies equalizing. Hence, he will be looking forward to putting in a much-improved performance against Villa.

CB – Nathaniel Phillips

With the possibility of Fabinho being rested and Joel Matip yet to recover from the injury he sustained against West Brom, Phillips has a very good chance of starting on Friday. This would be his fourth start of the season.

The 23-year-old did not have a very good outing against Newcastle and will be keen on putting in a much better display in the heart of the defence this week.

LB – James Milner

Andy Robertson could very much do with some rest and with Kostas Tsimikas yet to recover from the injury he sustained against Midtjylland, there’s every chance of Milner starting at left-back.

The 35-year-old has so far featured in 16 matches across all competitions with an assist to his name and will be keen on producing a solid performance. There’s also a good chance of Milner donning the captain’s armband as Jordan Henderson might be benched.