Liverpool are aiming to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they face Aston Villa on Saturday.
Arne Slot’s side are currently in horrendous form in the top-flight, with four consecutive losses seeing them slip down to seventh in the table after being top during their September run.
With defeats to Manchester United at home and Brentford away, they will hope that Unai Emery’s team will not be as much of a stern test when they host them at Anfield in the late kick-off.
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It has not been the best Liverpool team, especially compared to the one that won the league just a year prior, and Slot needs to work out exactly what he needs to do to undo these successive defeats.
That is where his team selection will be integral in how exactly this team will fare against the Birmingham side, and he knows that this is a must-win with two huge games against Real Madrid and Manchester City to come.
Here is who we think Slot will choose for his starting XI against Villa.
Arne Slot and Unai Emery shake hands after game
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Defence
Following the hamstring injury to Alisson Becker, it has been Giorgi Mamardashvili who has been trying his best in goal despite what has been happening in front of him so far.
Where there has been so much trouble for the Reds this season is in the backline, and with only two real choices at centre-back, the usual pairing of captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will definitely start.
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One player who will have to make way this week is Milos Kerkez, whom Alan Pardew has said has been ‘struggling’ at Liverpool since making his move from Bournemouth.
Kerkez’s display against Crystal Palace in the 3-0 EFL Cup defeat was not up to scratch, and given that Andy Robertson was substituted off before the end, we expect the Scotsman to make an appearance in the starting line-up.
The right-back position is also a very clear choice, with Jeremie Frimpong still out with a hamstring issue. Conor Bradley will be very busy along the right flank over the next week.
Midfield
Liverpool’s midfield has really struggled with consistency over the past few weeks, and now, with the injury to Curtis Jones, things have been complicated further.
The only certainty and consistent force who has to be on the teamsheet is Dominik Szoboszlai, who has been nothing short of impeccable in everything he has been tasked with this season.
READ MORE: Chris Sutton predicts Mohamed Salah will do something he has not done in four years vs Aston Villa
While Slot gave an update on Ryan Gravenberch’s fitness, with the Dutch midfielder in contention to appear, it may be too soon to start him, with Alexis Mac Allister more likely to be in the three.
With that settled, it will leave Florian Wirtz to hopefully roam freely in an attacking midfield role where he could potentially show the star quality he was bought for in the summer.
Attack
After the news that Alexander Isak is ‘99.9%’ not in the squad for the weekend, fans will still be delighted to see Hugo Ekitike up front for the Reds and hopefully scoring at Anfield.
Many will still be criticising the performances of Mohamed Salah, but after last week’s goal against Brentford, he has kept himself in the team because of his ability to get on the scoresheet.
Finally, Cody Gakpo will take up his usual left-wing position after some consistent performances on that side.
Returning to Anfield could be a perfect thing for Gakpo, especially given how he played against United. Hopefully, he can bury all his opportunities this time around.
Liverpool's predicted XI vs Brighton
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Brighton