Alexander Isak and one other absent but two big names return for Liverpool at Aston Villa
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SportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool team news confirmed from Villa Park as Alexander Isak misses out and Mohamed Salah returns to the benchAlexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong are missing from the Liverpool squad as Mohamed Salah returns to the bench at Aston Villa.Isak only returned for last week's draw with Chelsea after missing the defeat at Manchester United due to a minor groin strain.But having only made his comeback from a four-month lay-off with a broken leg at the start of April, the £125m the Sweden international is not risked at Villa Park as Liverpool aim to secure Champions League qualification with victory against the Europa League finalists.It means Cody Gakpo once more leads the line with Dominik Szoboszlai expected to fill in on the right side of the front three and Rio Ngumoha off the left. It's the first time the 17-year-old has started successive Premier League games.READ MORE: Wataru Endo sends emotional Liverpool message after World Cup decision madeREAD MORE: 'I know exactly what is needed' - Arne Slot admits Liverpool issue is '100% true'Salah is named among the substitutes, as expected, after a hamstring injury sustained in the victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 25.
Freddie Woodman is on the bench.Florian Wirtz returns to the squad after missing the Chelsea game with a stomach issue. Slot confirmed on Thursday that the attacking midfielder is on antibiotics for his issue but after resuming training on Thursday, Wirtz is restored to the bench.Ibrahima Konate partners Virgil van Dijk at centre-back as Curtis Jones moves into midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Ngumoha.
Subs: Woodman, Robertson, Wirtz, Salah, Chiesa, Nyoni, McConnell, Ndiaye, Wright.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageChoose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCAston Villa FCBarclay's Premier LeagueAlexander Isak