Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool’s rearranged trip to Villa Park is shaping up to be a meeting of two patched‑up squads, with as many as 11 players potentially missing when Aston Villa host the Reds.
Originally scheduled for mid‑May, the clash was moved once when Aston Villa’s deep Europa League run crowded the fixture list and then pushed again after Unai Emery’s side booked their place in the final. The final, against Freiburg in Istanbul, forced the Premier League to find a new slot that protects Villa’s preparation.
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The solution is an 8:00 pm BST kick-off on Friday night under the lights at Villa Park, just days before Villa fly out for the biggest European game of their modern era.
But before that, both sides need to navigate a tricky injury list
Boubacar Kamara – out
Boubacar Kamara is one of Villa’s headline absentees, with the French midfielder ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery in Lyon. He damaged his left knee during Villa’s FA Cup win over Tottenham back in January, and the club confirmed that the operation means his campaign is over.
Alysson – doubt
Brazilian winger Alysson has endured a stop‑start first season in England and remains a doubt, having battled knee and undisclosed knocks that have repeatedly halted his progress. Unai Emery has described him as only recently returning to group training on a progressive basis.
Amadou Onana – doubt
Onana has had his own injury‑ridden year, with repeated hamstring and muscle problems interrupting his rhythm in Emery’s midfield. He did not make the squad for Villa’s recent 2-2 draw with Burnley.
Conor Bradley – out
Conor Bradley is a confirmed long‑term absentee after suffering a serious knee injury earlier in the season.
Hugo Ekitike – out
Hugo Ekitike will also definitely miss the Villa trip after a devastating Achilles tendon rupture in the Champions League defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain. He will only return next season.
Giovanni Leoni – out
Young centre‑back Giovanni Leoni suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear at the very start of his Liverpool career, late on in his debut against Southampton in the League Cup
Wataru Endo – out
Endo suffered ankle ligament damage in February and is focusing on his fitness for the World Cup, where he will captain Japan.
Ibrahima Konate – out
The Frenchman is another concern after being forced off in Liverpool’s recent draw with Chelsea. The centre‑back will be assessed closer to kick‑off, with Arne Slot indicating that his problem requires monitoring.
Alisson Becker – out
First‑choice goalkeeper Alisson has been sidelined for several weeks by a hamstring issue that already forced him to miss a run of games. Giorgi Marmardashvili started in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Mohamed Salah – doubt
Mohamed Salah is in a similar bracket, having suffered a minor muscle problem that saw him substituted in the win over Crystal Palace and then miss subsequent matches. He hinted that he could be back before Brentford on the final day.
Florian Wirtz – minor doubt
Finally, Florian Wirtz has been struggling with illness rather than an injury, sitting out the Chelsea game as he recovers. He is expected to be back in contention for the Villa trip.