Liverpool fans do not have to wait long to see their team back in action as they head to face Aston Villa on Wednesday.

The Reds kicked off a difficult run of four fixtures in 11 days with a nervy win over Wolves on Sunday.

And while the victory put Liverpool seven points clear in the Premier League title race, the next three matches have an ominous look about them.



An evening kick-off in front of expectant supporters will make Liverpool’s task difficult.

Liverpool next two transfers have just been decided after disappointing Aston Villa draw	Pep Guardiola gives Erling Haaland injury update ahead of Liverpool as Man City defender ruled out	Rashford impressing as Villa goal ruled out for offside vs Liverpool LIVE!

And although the Liverpool squad is generally in good shape, The Times report that Cody Gakpo is due to miss the game with a continuation of his ankle injury.

With the games piling up and players in need of managing, that should open the door for Federico Chiesa to get some minutes at Villa Park.

Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Having not been in the travelling squad for Wednesday’s Merseyside Derby, Chiesa returned to the bench for Sunday’s win over Wolves.

With the game as tight as it was, though, Arne Slot did not bring the Italian on.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

Chiesa was described as the ‘biggest disappointment‘ of the previous weekend’s surprise loss against Plymouth Argyle and to some that was the nail in the coffin of a Liverpool career which simply has not got going.

But Gakpo’s injury represents a significant chance for Chiesa.

Luis Diaz also played 90 minutes at Plymouth, before completing 70 against Wolves.

READ MORE: Jason McAteer admits he has one ‘big concern’ about Liverpool after what he saw at Anfield against Wolves

It should be remembered that Liverpool face Man City on Sunday and, as a result, it seems unlikely that Diaz will play the full game once again.

But at Villa, Slot is going to have to lean on his No.14 whether he likes it or not.

Plymouth was certainly a low point for Chiesa.

He never really looked like getting the better of the Championship defenders standing in his way.

Nevertheless, it was at least encouraging that his fitness held up and that the 27-year-old kept pushing and probing right until the end, even if things weren’t coming off for him.

CompetitionApperancesMinutesGoalsAssistsPremier League32500Champions League310600FA Cup213510Carabao Cup210401

There may be a feeling of resignation that he will be leaving over the summer, but with 13 Premier League games left to play, he shouldn’t be written off just yet.

It certainly does not help that Slot seems completely unwilling to throw Chiesa on for cameos at the end of matches which he could make a difference in.

But with Gakpo now missing and so many games in such a short space of time, the Liverpool head coach does not have any choice.