Overview
- Liverpool have lost six of their last seven matches across competitions, including a 3-0 Carabao Cup home defeat to Crystal Palace after 10 changes to the lineup.
- Arne Slot said he is happy with the squad and strategy, noting that playing more defensively would go against his beliefs, though he is willing to adapt in moments.
- He confirmed Ryan Gravenberch has trained and could return for Aston Villa, with Curtis Jones and Alexander Isak described as 99.9% unlikely to be in the squad.
- Media reports say contract-extension talks have been paused, which Slot declined to address beyond reiterating that his focus is on winning again.
- Previews point to major recalls against Villa, with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai expected to start before Real Madrid and Manchester City follow next week.