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Liverpool missing five players as Jurgen Klopp faces difficult farewell decision

Liverpool’s goal-laden farewell to Jurgen Klopp continued with a thrilling clash at Aston Villa on Monday evening.

An end-to-end 3-3 draw brought the curtain down on away days under the German and further cemented the Reds in the Premier League top three.

Liverpool now turn their attentions to their last game of the season with the visit of Wolves on Sunday. And here we look ahead to the changes Klopp could make for the final time when his team are next in action.

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Konate question

Klopp has resisted the urge to ring the changes during the final weeks of his reign and it would be a surprise if he overly tinkered with his resources for his final match.

Alisson Becker, then, is favourite to continue between the sticks although Caoimhin Kelleher started the final game of last season. Adrian, the third-choice goalkeeper, hasn’t played since July 2022 and will depart the club after the match.

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Andy Robertson is expected to return after missing out with a minor injury against Villa, where the versatile Joe Gomez impressed as deputy ahead of Kostas Tsimikas. Gomez can also do a job at right-back, although Trent Alexander-Arnold has regained his place ahead of Conor Bradley.

And at centre-back, Ibrahima Konate has fallen behind Jarell Quansah in the pecking order to partner Virgil van Dijk but will hope for a recall. Joel Matip has been absent since December and is scheduled to leave on a free transfer this summer.

Szoboszlai ready

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The importance of Wataru Endo was again obvious at Villa Park as, for the second game in succession, Liverpool shipped two late goals with the Japan international having been replaced as number six. Alexis Mac Allister is another option in the position but looked tired against Villa, while Stefan Bajcetic isn’t ready for a start after so long on the sidelines.

Should Mac Allister be rested, his position on the left of the engine room could be filled by Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch or Dominik Szoboszlai, who all emerged from the bench on Monday. On the right, Elliott was again impressive but, should rotation be required, could be replaced by any of the aforementioned trio.

Bobby Clark is injured while Thiago Alcantara is another who has played his last Liverpool game due to being on the sidelines. Youngsters Trey Nyoni and James McConnell have featured for the under-21s of late.

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Nunez in?

Diogo Jota was expected to be back for the trip to Villa but now appears increasingly unlikely to feature again this campaign due to injury. That leaves four into three up front, with the big question being over whether Darwin Nunez is handed only a second start in a month.

Otherwise, Klopp will almost certainly keep faith in the attack of Mohamed Salah on the right, Luis Diaz on the left and the in-form Cody Gakpo down the middle. Teenager Ben Doak is injured while both Lewis Koumas and Kaide Gordon have primarily been on U21 duty in the closing weeks.

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