Liverpool could make five changes against Aston Villa amid midfield overhaul

Liverpool gave themselves the chance to end the season with a flourish after a richly deserved win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

A comprehensive 4-2 triumph secured revenge for the controversial defeat in London in September and cemented the Reds into the Premier League’s top three.

Liverpool now turn their attention to their final away game of the season with a trip to Aston Villa next Monday. And here we look ahead to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his side are next in action.

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Tsimikas question

With third place secured and the top two likely out of reach by the time Liverpool take to the pitch at Villa Park, the Reds will be largely playing for pride in the final two games of Klopp’s tenure.

And it could give the Reds boss the opportunity to offer exits to a number of fringe players as he bids farewell to almost nine years in charge at Anfield.

Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher have featured prominently between the sticks this season, with the former regaining his place after returning from injury. Kelleher, however, could have an exit next week, while Adrian, who is set to leave in the summer, has not played a Premier League game for more than three years.

At centre-back, Ibrahima Konate has not played since being substituted in the derby defeat at Everton and will be hoping for minutes, although Jarell Quansah was on credit to partner Virgil van Dijk. Joel Matip ended his season in December and is currently out of action for Liverpool.

Trent Alexander-Arnold kept his place at right-back despite Conor Bradley now being fit again, while Joe Gomez is another option, but it was intriguing that left-back Kostas Tsimikas did not make the bench against Tottenham, with the versatile Gomez replacing first choice. Andy Robertson midway through the second half.

Szoboszlai is waiting

Wataru Endo has started five of the last six Premier League games and, with Alexis Mac Allister the only realistic alternative as a number six, would be expected to see out the campaign in the position. Stefan Bajectic made his long-awaited return from injury at the weekend as a substitute, but is not ready to start.

Mac Allister has been a regular on the left of the midfield triumvirate, but could be swapped for Ryan Gravenberch, having performed well in recent starts. Curtis Jones is another option. On the right, Harvey Elliott was hugely impressive against Tottenham but could be challenged by Dominik Szoboszlai – who has started just two of the last seven games – or Gravenberch. Mac Allister can also play that role if Klopp wants to completely overhaul his engine room.

Bobby Clark and Thiago Alcantara will miss out again this season with youngsters James McConnell and Trey Nyoni on under-21 duty in the Premier League 2 play-offs.

Is Nunez coming back?

The main talking point after the weekend was Darwin Nunez’s reaction to criticism on social media after a disappointing cameo against Tottenham. Nunez has been benched in four of the last eight games with in-form Cody Gakpo at the heart of the attack.

A lot could depend on whether Diogo Jota is available again after injury, with the Portuguese able to play in the middle or on the left, where Gakpo can also do a job and Luis Diaz has been a regular. Mohamed Salah’s display against Tottenham suggests he has now returned to form on the right flank. Ben Doak remains injured, while Kaide Gordon is with the U21s.