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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Divock Origi absence explained as Liverpool make Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain change for Aston Villa

Jurgen Klopp has made seven changes for the return of Steven Gerrard to Liverpool this afternoon.

The Reds boss has rotated heavily after the midweek 2-1 Champions League win at AC Milan for the Premier League visit of Gerrard's Aston Villa.

Klopp’s big call is to name Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in what is likely to be a false nine role with Divock Origi out with a sore knee and Diogo Jota, who has barely trained this week, among the substitutes.

Alisson Becker is one of the four players to remain in the starting line-up from San Siro, with the rest of the defence changed as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson return.

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The midfield has also been overhauled with Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and skipper Jordan Henderson all back.

Up front, alongside Oxlade-Chamberlain is Mohamed Salah on the right and Sadio Mane on the left.

Joe Gomez and Naby Keita are among the substitutes in the Premier League for the first time since their respective returns from injury.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Salah, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane.

Subs: Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Keita, Gomez, Minamino, Jota, Tsimikas, Williams.

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