Aston Villa is the next challenge standing in front of Liverpool and their quest for the Premier League title.

However, Arne Slot’s men would secure the three points with a 2-1 win.

This was the result the Premier League leaders needed after the disappointing ending to the Merseyside Derby and being eliminated from the FA Cup, but things do not get any easier this week.

Liverpool travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday before facing Man City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, which will require Slot to pick his starting team for the trip to Birmingham strategically.

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The Reds boss will not want his team arriving in Manchester shattered and with that in mind, here is the XI we think he’ll go with against Aston Villa.

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Having failed to keep clean sheets in Liverpool’s two most recent matches, Alisson Becker will be looking to change that at Aston Villa as no surprises are expected in the goalkeeping position.

The Wolves game saw Trent Alexander-Arnold return from his injury issue and that time out showed that the right-back was underwhelming against the Midlands club but is expected to keep his place for Aston Villa.

Slot has played the same midfield trio in Liverpool’s last six Premier League games and with the Reds facing a tough trip to Villa Park on Wednesday, there is no reason to think the Dutch coach will change this.

Liverpool will be without Cody Gakpo for their trip to Aston Villa and that will provide Diogo Jota with the chance to step up for the Reds.

Having arrived from Wolves as part of a £41m deal in 2020, the Portuguese star started against his former club on Sunday and should he feature from the beginning on Wednesday, it will be the first time the forward has started back-to-back games in the Premier League since October.

The 28-year-old will certainly be partnered by Mohamed Salah on Wednesday as the Egyptian star cannot be afforded rest at present.