Following a humbling defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League, Liverpool host Aston Villa on Saturday in the Premier League. Defensive errors proved costly in the midweek as the Reds were outplayed by Los Blancos at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium. Klopp will surely hope for a better performance from his team than the reverse fixture where Villa thrashed the champions 7-2.
With a top-four spot within reach, Liverpool will look to continue their winning run to secure Champions League football for next season. Liverpool must capitalize on Villa’s poor form and make it three consecutive victories to keep their top-four hopes alive. Diogo Jota’s return has proved vital for the Reds with the Portuguese in superb scoring form for both club and country.
Let us now take a look at the possible systems Klopp might employ for this game against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 has been Klopp’s go-to system as Liverpool manager, where Alisson is expected to retain his place despite a poor performance against Madrid. Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips have shown promise in recent games and may start together with Fabinho just ahead of them.
After a fantastic performance against Arsenal, Alexander-Arnold had a night to forget in Madrid as his error led to Asensio’s goal. Despite all that he is expected to start with Andy Robertson on the flanks and will look to bounce back. Liverpool’s poor display in midfield may force Klopp to replace Wijnaldum and Naby Keita with James Milner and Thiago who dominated against Arsenal last week.
Sadio Mane has struggled this season to find goals and may be replaced by Diogo Jota with Firmino playing up top. Top scorer Mohamed Salah will look to continue his brilliant scoring run to regain the lead in the race for the golden boot.
THE 4-2-3-1
Klopp may look to get the best out of Firmino in a No.10 role with Jota upfront in a 4-2-3-1 system, which has done wonders earlier in the season. The quartet of Mane, Salah, Firmino and Jota played together for around seventeen minutes against Arsenal which resulted in two goals. To put the struggling Aston Villa defence under pressure, Liverpool may resort to this super offensive lineup.
Thiago and Fabinho complement each other’s game and can work efficiently as the double pivot to cover the overlapping runs of Trent and Robertson. Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore are the two players that the Liverpool defence will have to keep in check to get a third consecutive clean sheet.
A victory on Saturday afternoon will see Liverpool climb to fourth place on goal difference at least temporarily with Chelsea, West Ham and Spurs having games lined up later. The Merseysiders will be keen to produce a solid performance and build confidence for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, where they will hope for another miraculous comeback at Anfield.
