Liverpool line-ups vs Aston Villa as Dominik Szoboszlai and goalkeeper decisions made
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Our LFC writers have picked their own starting XIs for Liverpool's trip to Aston Villa on Friday evening.Liverpool can secure qualification for next season's Champions League with victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park this evening. But as the entire 2025-26 season has shown, that is easer said than done for Arne Slot's side.The Reds are currently fourth in the Premier League table with two games left to play, ahead of their hosts on goal difference.
Unai Emery's side also have the distraction of playing in the Europa League final next Wednesday, which could significantly influence the Spaniard's own team selection.After a run of three consecutive league wins, though, Liverpool have only one point from their last two outings and that came against a Chelsea side who had lost their last six matches. Can the Reds get back to winning ways on Friday night and ease the pressure on their under-fire manager?The ECHO's Liverpool FC writers have picked their own starting line-ups ahead of the big clash at Villa Park.READ MORE: Liverpool warned Aston Villa can't afford to lose amid 'best season in decades'Ian DoyleOne more game and then there's only one game to go.
But it's Aston Villa up next for Liverpool with a place in the top four up for grabs. At least there will be some options on the bench in Rio Ngumoha, Mohamed Salah and Jeremie Frimpong.My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.Paul GorstThe final away day of the Premier League season should hopefully see a number of key players back for Arne Slot at Aston Villa tonight.Florian Wirtz, Slot confirmed on Thursday, has been on antibiotics for a stomach issue that caused him to miss last week's draw with Chelsea, but the Germany international was cleared for training earlier this week.Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah were also involved in AXA Training Centre action too, and it will be interesting to see how much the latter plays, given Slot confirmed the Egyptian would not be starting his penultimate fixture as a Liverpool player.I am going to be the eternal optimist and suggest that Alisson will be cleared to feature, so he starts behind a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, who just about gets the nod over Milos Kerkez.In midfield, I am also naming Wirtz in a box midfield alongside Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.Up top, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak can team up with Salah and Rio Ngumoha waiting in the wings, pun intended, if a change of shape is needed.My team: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Isak, Gakpo.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!