Liverpool XI vs Aston Villa: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Reds could be boosted by the return of Salah in pursuit of Champions League qualification

Mohamed Salah could return for his final Premier League away game when Liverpool take on Aston Villa this week.

Salah suffered a minor muscle injury in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at the end of April, raising concerns that he had played his last game for the club ahead of his summer exit.

However, the Reds issued a statement confirming the forward would return before the end of the season and Arne Slot revealed last week that Salah was due back in training shortly.

"Mo [has] not trained with us yet but is getting very, very, very close to training with us,” the Liverpool head coach said before the 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Slot is expected to provide an update on the 33-year-old in the pre-match press conference, though Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are the three Liverpool players guaranteed to miss out through injury.

Alexander Isak is pushing for a recall to the starting line up after playing the last 23 minutes against Chelsea after missing the 3-2 loss to Manchester United the week prior with a knock.

If the Swede is restored as the lone striker, it could mean that Cody Gakpo drops down to the bench as youngster Rio Ngumoha has impressed on his last two appearances and would be a popular choice among supporters.

Alexander Isak could lead the line for Liverpool at Villa Park

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Ibrahima Konate should overcome cramp to continue in central defence, but Florian Wirtz, Wataru Endo and Alisson Becker are all doubtful.

In the case of Alisson, the swift return of Giorgi Mamardashvili does mean Liverpool do not have to rush the Brazilian into action. That said, there is a decision to make at right-back as Jeremie Frimpong could return to his natural position to allow Curtis Jones to take up a role in central midfield.

Injured: Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni

Doubts: Salah, Alisson, Konate, Wirtz, Endo

Time and date: 8pm BST on Friday, May 15, 2026