Aston Villa will be without three players against Liverpool, who themselves are waiting on the final fitness verdict for two players.
The final away game of Liverpool’s season could see them officially clinch Champions League qualification if they return to Merseyside with all three points.
They will face a Villa outfit missing three players through injury, while Harvey Elliott is ineligible due to loan rules – not that Unai Emery would have called upon him anyway.
Boubacar Kamara (knee) is a long-term absentee for the hosts, while Alysson (groin) and Amadou Onana (calf) have both been ruled out of the fixture.
“We have the same players out,” Emery told reporters on Thursday, via Villa’s official website. “Amadou Onana is not available for tomorrow, Alysson as well is not, Kamara as well is not.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 9, 2024: Liverpool's Conor Bradley (R) is challenged by Aston Villa's Amadou Onana during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“But other players should be ready to play tomorrow.”
Onana has been a regular fixture of Villa’s midfield, starting 32 games across all competitions, but his three-game absence extends ahead of his side’s Europa League final next week.
With Liverpool’s visit moved to assist Villa’s pursuit of European silverware, there will not be as great a need for Emery to rest players ahead of Wednesday’s final against Freiburg.
For that reason, it would not be a surprise to see a strong lineup that includes the likes of Morgan Rogers, John McGinn, and an in-form Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendia.
Predicted Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Lindelof, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak
Liverpool waiting on Alisson and Florian Wirtz to prove their fitness
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 31, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Arne Slot confirmed on the eve of the match that Mo Salah will return to the squad, but will only be available for a few minutes off the bench.
As for Alisson and Florian Wirtz, the two had to prove their fitness after a respective hamstring injury and stomach infection.
“[Alisson] trained with us again. Let’s see where he is tomorrow. If he’s ready already or has to wait for one more week,” Slot said of the goalkeeper.
As for Wirtz, he explained: “Florian had a stomach infection, so let’s see how fit he is for tomorrow. He’s on antibiotics, so let’s see if he’s ready to play tomorrow.”
Ibrahima Konate is expected to be fit for the match, but Liverpool remain without Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, and Hugo Ekitike.