Liverpool predicted XI vs Villarreal: Gomez, Tsimikas, Gravenberch and Ngumoha in

Liverpool host Villarreal at Anfield in the Champions League on matchday three tomorrow at 20:00 UK time. Inigo Perez's side arrive on the back of a 3-1 win over Napoli. The home side are expected to make four changes from the team that beat Brentford, with Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch and Rio Ngumoha coming in.

  • Kick-off: 20:00 UK time, tomorrow
  • Venue: Anfield
  • Competition: Champions League, matchday three
  • Headline selection: Gomez, Tsimikas, Gravenberch and Ngumoha start
  • What's at stake: Liverpool aim to maintain their 100% start in Europe

Confirmed line-ups

Liverpool (4-3-3)

Starting XI: Alisson Becker; Ronald Araujo, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola; Alexander Isak.

Substitutes: Not stated in source.

Villarreal (4-4-2)

Starting XI: Not stated in source.

Substitutes: Not stated in source.

Selection notes

Jeremie Frimpong is ruled out, so Ronald Araujo may deputise at right back. On the left, Kostas Tsimikas is likely to replace Milos Kerkez. Virgil van Dijk continues in central defence, but Jeremy Jacquet may be rested, with Joe Gomez coming in. In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai is injured, so Ryan Gravenberch might feature alongside Alexis Mac Allister in the double pivot. Florian Wirtz continues as the number 10. Rio Ngumoha may start on the right flank after a decent impact off the bench against Brentford, replacing Victor Munoz. Bradley Barcola continues on the left wing. Alexander Isak, who was wasteful against Brentford but scored the winner, is expected to get the nod over Lewis Koumas as the number nine.

Injury and availability

Jeremie Frimpong: Ruled out for the Villarreal fixture.

Dominik Szoboszlai: Injured and unavailable.

Alexis Mac Allister: Available and expected to keep his place in a deeper-lying role.

Why Iraola makes four changes for Villarreal

The four alterations are about managing workload and covering for injuries. Frimpong's absence forces Araujo to right back, while Tsimikas comes in for Kerkez on the left. In midfield, Szoboszlai's injury means Ryan Gravenberch partners Alexis Mac Allister in the double pivot. Rio Ngumoha gets a start on the right after impressing off the bench against Brentford, replacing Victor Munoz. Joe Gomez comes in for Jeremy Jacquet, likely to keep the young defender fresh.

Up front, Alexander Isak continues as the number nine despite being wasteful against Brentford, because his match-winning contribution showed his value in tight games. The expected return of Florian Wirtz as the number 10 gives Liverpool a creative hub behind Isak, with Bradley Barcola on the left and Ngumoha on the right providing width.

Villarreal's 3-1 win over Napoli signals their threat, so Iraola's changes are about balancing rotation with the need to maintain a 100% Champions League start. The back four of Araujo, Van Dijk, Gomez and Tsimikas offers experience, while the midfield double pivot of Gravenberch and Mac Allister provides a platform for Wirtz to operate.

Talking points

  • Should Isak start after his wasteful display against Brentford, or does Lewis Koumas deserve a chance?
  • Is Araujo at right back a temporary fix or a better option than Frimpong long-term?
  • Does Ngumoha's start signal a breakthrough for the youngster, or is it just rotation?
  • With Szoboszlai out, is the Gravenberch-Mac Allister pivot strong enough against a confident Villarreal?

What happens next

Liverpool face Villarreal at Anfield tomorrow at 20:00 UK time. A win would maintain their 100% start in the Champions League and put them in a strong position in the group. The team selection will reveal whether Iraola sees this as a must-win or an opportunity to rotate.

Frequently asked questions

Is Joe Gomez starting for Liverpool vs Villarreal?

Yes, Joe Gomez is expected to start in central defence, with Jeremy Jacquet possibly rested.

Who is Liverpool's right back against Villarreal?

Ronald Araujo may deputise at right back because Jeremie Frimpong is ruled out.

Is Alexander Isak starting for Liverpool vs Villarreal?

Yes, Alexander Isak is expected to get the nod over Lewis Koumas as the number nine.

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