Image Credits: Imago Images
Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong both miss out for Liverpool, while Mohamed Salah returns to the bench for the trip to Aston Villa.
Isak had only recently returned to the squad for last week’s draw with Chelsea after missing the defeat to Manchester United due to a minor groin strain.
Having just come back from a four-month absence with a broken leg earlier in April, the striker is not risked as Liverpool aim to secure Champions League qualification.
Cody Gakpo leads the line once again, with Dominik Szoboszlai on the right and 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha on the left, making back-to-back Premier League starts for the first time.
Salah is back among the substitutes after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered against Crystal Palace on April 25, having missed the last two matches. Florian Wirtz also returns to the bench after a stomach issue, having trained on Thursday while on antibiotics.
At the back, Joe Gomez starts at right-back and Andy Robertson at left-back, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk in central defence.
Giorgi Mamardashvili continues in goal, while Curtis Jones joins Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in midfield. Freddie Woodman is among the substitutes.
Isak has been ruled out of tonight’s match with a minor issue, with Liverpool opting to take a cautious approach given his recent fitness problems this season.
Asked about the team news pre-match by Sky Sports, head coach Slot said: “I don’t think it can come as a surprise to anyone. Today we miss nine players that can start a game of football.
“The good thing is that Florian is on the bench, Mo is on the bench. Both not able to start. Indeed, Alex is out – minor injury. I think it’s something we all understand, if you miss pre-season, if you then have a broken leg, when you are coming back we’ve been really careful with him.
“But, of course, Hugo Ekitike was injured. And then it’s not a surprise I think that you can pick up minor injuries like this.”
On how pleased he was to have Salah and Wirtz back, Slot added: “A lot, a lot of course. Because these are players that can make a difference for any team, so also for us.
“It’s very nice to have them back, although ideally you are able to start them. But that’s not possible yet. I have to give Mo a lot of compliments how fast he is back, because that’s not always a given with the injury he picked up. He worked really hard to be back. The same can be said about Flo. Happy that they are here to help the team if needed.”