Rodgers Makes 2 Changes: Predicted Liverpool Starting XI To Face Aston Villa

Liverpool will be looking to close in on the top four when they take on Aston Villa on at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon. Here is the side I think Brendan Rodgers will select:

Goalkeeper: Rodgers has little option but to stick with Simon Mignolet in goal as Brad Jones is still out with a thigh injury.

Defence: The Reds boss has confirmed that Glen Johnson is back in full training so could come back in to contention this weekend, but with only a couple of sessions under his belt after several weeks out I think this game may come too soon. This could mean Javier Manquillo starts in the wing-back role on the right with Alberto Moreno keeping his place on the left.. Dejan Lovren continues to be out-of-favour so Martin Skrtel is once again likely to be joined by Mamadou Sakho and Emre Can at the back.

Midfield: Steven Gerrard is a major doubt after picking up an injury last weekend so the skipper is likely to miss out. With Manquillo coming in on the right, it will allow Lazar Markovic to move into a more natural advanced role. Jordan Henderson will continue alongside Lucas Leiva in the middle of the park as Joe Allen continues to nurse a long-standing knee problem.

Attack: Raheem Sterling is set for a recall after being given an extended winter break and Rodgers may decide to bring him back in as a central striker – where he played before his rest. Adam Lallana is expected to miss out with a thigh injury so Philippe Coutinho and Markovic are likely to support Sterling in attack. Daniel Sturridge is back training again but this game will come too soon.

Here is how I think we’ll see Liverpool line-up:

What do you think of the team and what eleven would you pick?