Following their crazy Carabao Cup triumph over Arsenal in midweek, Liverpool will be hoping for a far less stressful trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Reds’ triumph over the Gunners was one of the best games you’re likely to see all season, as the crazy encounter finished 5-5 in normal time.
It then went to penalties which Liverpool won 5-4 to book their place in the quarter-finals.
However, there’s a risk they won’t play in the next round as they are taking part in the Club World Cup in Qatar when the ties are due to happen in December.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has threatened to not play in the quarter-finals if the EFL can’t find an alternative date that suits his side.
He took the opportunity to reveal that there were talks between the club and EFL about the prospect of leaving players behind to play in the Carabao Cup tie but Klopp ruled this out as a possibility.
In his press conference on Friday, Klopp said: “We discussed it. We have to as there is not too much time to make that decision. But no final decision yet.
“If we did play while in Qatar it would be two different teams but we cannot leave any players at home for the Carabao Cup.
“We have two games there (in Qatar) in a very busy period. It is not that we can go there with 11 players and say these 11 guys play two games in Qatar and the other guys play back home against Aston Villa.
“It doesn’t work like that. We will make a decision but not yet.”
Liverpool were actually drawn against the team they’re playing this weekend in the cup, however, the Premier League clash is the focus right now.
Here’s how both teams could line up at Villa Park, according to talkSPORT.com.
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Aston Villa team news
Dean Smith is waiting on the fitness of Villans captain Jack Grealish, who missed their Carabao Cup win over Wolves with a calf injury.
The manager expects Grealish to be available against the Premier League leaders, with Smith offering a positive update on his fitness after the midweek game.
Smith said: “He’s OK. He’ll be pushing to be fit for Saturday. He wasn’t fit (for Wolves) but I wouldn’t have picked him anyway. He’s responded really well.
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“I never worry too much when it’s a contact injury, a dead calf – he’s got a small bleed on his calf and he’s responded well to treatment.”
However, they will be without Jota and Keinan Davis, who have hernia and hamstring issues respectively.
Spaniard Jota is expected to make a return to training next week though.
How Villa could look
Liverpool team news
The Reds are still without defender Joel Matip, who could be sidelined for up to six weeks with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Naby Keita was forced off with a calf strain during the Arsenal game. He is in contention to play but the midfielder may not be risked.
Klopp is also greeted with a difficult situation as defensive midfielder Fabinho is one yellow card away from a suspension.
So if he were to play and be cautioned on Saturday, the Brazilian maestro would be ruled out of Liverpool’s massive Premier League encounter at home to Manchester City on November 10.
On whether Fabinho will play or not, Klopp said: “I don’t know yet. I will have to see. I know he is [one booking away]. No challenges at all!
“It is not possible against Villa to play without tackles. We know it. We have to deal with this information, either him or me with the line-ups.”
The Premier League is a priority for Liverpool so Klopp will no doubt pick a strong side.
How Liverpool could look
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