Aston Villa v Liverpool: Team news
Liverpool will check on the fitness of Naby Keita before finalising their squad for Saturday’s Premier League fixture with Aston Villa.
The midfielder picked up a knock during the second half of the Carabao Cup win against Arsenal and needed to be substituted at Anfield.
“I don’t know, we’ll have to see,” was Jürgen Klopp’s response during his press conference on Friday afternoon, when asked whether Keita would be available for the trip to Villa Park.
The boss later told newspaper reporters Mohamed Salah should be “fine” for the encounter as he continues to deal with an ankle issue.
One man who won’t be involved is Joel Matip, with the manager confirming the centre-back was a “few weeks” away from a return due to a knee complaint.
Klopp also used his media briefing to acknowledge Liverpool will give some consideration to Fabinho’s current disciplinary situation, with a booking against Villa meaning he would be suspended for the visit of Manchester City to Anfield on November 10.
Elsewhere, Xherdan Shaqiri remains sidelined with a calf issue, while Nathaniel Clyne is a long-term absentee. Ki-Jana Hoever is on international duty at the FIFA U17 World Cup for the Netherlands.
Villa are hopeful they’ll be able to call upon the services of Jack Grealish.
The hosts’ captain picked up a calf injury at Manchester City last weekend and subsequently missed the Carabao Cup win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.
However, manager Dean Smith said: “Jack is OK, he’s pushing to be fit for Saturday. He’s responded really well to treatment.
“He’s getting there. I am very, very hopeful that he will be fit for the weekend.”
Keinan Davis is ruled out for Villa due to a hamstring injury he obtained against Wolves in midweek, while Jota is also set to miss out as he continues to recover from a hernia operation.
Last match (Premier League)
Manchester City 3-0 Aston Villa (October 26): Heaton, Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett, Nakamba, Luiz, McGinn, Grealish, Trezeguet, Wesley.
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (October 27): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah, Firmino.