Liverpool team vs Aston Villa predicted in the Premier League as Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo start for Arne Slot, with decisions to make on Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker
07:00, 15 May 2026
Liverpool forward Rio Ngumoha.
Liverpool forward Rio Ngumoha.(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool could confirm its status as a Champions League club next season with a game to spare by beating Aston Villa on Friday, with Arne Slot facing some major decisions when it comes to his team selection.
If Alisson Becker is fit enough, the Brazilian is likely to come back into the team from the off, though Giorgi Mamardashvili is an able deputy. The Georgian may be able to step up into the No. 1 spot permanently from next season if Juventus' interest in Alisson comes to fruition.
Curtis Jones has impressed at right-back in recent times and is likely to keep his place in the team in that role. He has recently expressed his happiness to play anywhere for his boyhood side, as long as he is getting regular minutes.
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Ibrahima Konate is fit to partner Virgil van Dijk after he went off with cramp against Chelsea last Saturday, while there is a choice of either Milos Kerkez or Andy Robertson at left-back.
In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai is likely to be joined by Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
Those three have struggled to hit the heights collectively this term, but will need to be energetic here to match an Aston Villa team that can be very intense under the lights.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
In the attack, Mohamed Salah will be desperate to play a part, but Slot has already confirmed that he will only be fit enough to come off the bench. There is doubt over Florian Wirtz too after recent illness.
Alexander Isak should get the chance to start as the number nine after coming on as a sub a week ago against Chelsea, possibly with Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha flanking him.
"It's always going to be a hard game against them," Jones told club media ahead of the game. "They're a very good team with their style of play, they like to play and they like to keep the ball.
"There are lads in the team who can go and hurt teams, so we're obviously aware of that. Then obviously they've got their cup game, but then the following game of theirs, I think it's [Manchester] City, which is the last game of the season for them.
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"At the same time, I think that they will have in their head that they are wanting Champions League as well, because if they were to lose the next three games, including us, then there's a good chance that they're out of the Champions League.
"It's important that we don't get caught up in the atmosphere. They're going to come out and they're going to have all the energy but we just have to go and play our game.
"We have to stay calm. Again, as I said, we have to play our game. If I look around and see the lads in our team and the ability there, I've got all the trust in the lads and myself as well to get it over the line."
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Liverpool predicted team vs Aston Villa: Alisson/Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Isak, Gakpo.