Liverpool line up for Aston Villa as Darwin Nunez decision and major defensive changes

Paul Gorst – Darwin Nunez on the bench as no changes were made

The penultimate game of the season, with third place already secured, could usually give a manager a chance to glimpse what’s to come after a storied campaign.

But for Jurgen Klopp, there is no need to start assessing things with a view to next season and the chance to break the 80-point barrier again will be the incentive at Villa Park tonight.

With eight days left between games, a well-rested Reds side will be fresh against a Villa side that have looked leggy in recent weeks after a superb campaign.

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As a result, I don’t anticipate much change from last week’s win over Tottenham. The likes of Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah deserve to keep their spots, and I think Darwin Nunez’s pace can cause tiring problems off the bench later in the game.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Elliott, MacAllister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.

Ian Doyle – The goalkeeper and defense have completely changed

Aston Villa in the Premier League and it is the last away game of Jurgen Klopp’s reign. And while there’s no room for emotion in football, this might be the only night where it’s ignored.

Well, it would be if I had anything to do with it. Because I’d throw in a lot of fringe players as a way of saying thanks for what they’ve done for Klopp over the years.

That means Caoimhin Kelleher can only return to goal for one night. And the defense may have a completely new look, with Joe Gomez partnering Ibrahima Konate at centre-back, Kostas Tsimikas on the left and Conor Bradley on the right.

In the middle, there will be some continuity in Wataru Endo playing as the number six. Curtis Jones, however, can slot into the left side of the triumvirate, and Harvey Elliott deserves another start on the right.

Up top, Darwin Nunez can play in the middle with Luis Diaz on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.

Theo Squires – Darwin Nunez returns and switches to left back

With Liverpool’s third place already set in stone, it no longer matters which team takes the field against Aston Villa.

But on the penultimate game and final away day of Jurgen Klopp’s reign, the Reds remain keen to see Liverpool finish the season strongly. With the win securing Champions League qualification for Aston Villa, this is certainly not a dead rubber.

After Klopp’s defense of Darwin Nunez at Friday’s press conference, the Uruguayan can return to the XI and start up front. He could certainly end his drought before the end of the campaign.

Cody Gakpo switches to the left side as Luis Diaz drops out, with Mohamed Salah completing the attacking trio. Meanwhile, the midfield is unchanged as Harvey Elliott keeps his place after a great display against Tottenham Hotspur.

In defence, Jarell Quansah keeps his place, ahead of Ibrahima Konate, while Joe Gomez can come in at left-back after Andy Robertson missed training.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliott, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo,