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Arne Slot has expressed hopes that Liverpool will reap the rewards of his contentious FA Cup team selection at Plymouth Argyle, as it chases to extend its lead at the pinnacle of the Premier League.

The Reds are set for a battle against Aston Villa on Wednesday, aiming to clinch a win which would see them soar 10 points clear of closest rivals Arsenal, who would still have a game in hand.

This match is smack in the middle of a critical stretch, with Liverpool contending with five league matches within a 15-day span, following a draw at Everton and a victory over Wolves at Anfield.

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Slot was on the receiving end of substantial disapproval after opting for an almost unrecognizable squad in the FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Championship side Plymouth, a move that left Liverpool without 11 key players.

There was a reason why these players were maybe a bit tired at the end on Sunday and that was the emotional game we had to play on Wednesday evening (at Everton).

That cost us a lot of energy.

"For the rest of the season these players have always shown after two or three days that they are able to play again.

However, Curtis Jones rejoins the squad, having served his one-match ban.

On the opposing side, Liverpool could face a familiar foe in Marcus Rashford, currently impressing on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, with seven goals to his name against the Merseysiders.

Slot observed: "As you see sometimes when a new manager comes in, certain players start to play much better
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