Liverpool's return after the World Cup didn't go according to plan, with Manchester City ending the Reds' EFL Cup run in the fourth round, but Jurgen Klopp's team can bounce back on Boxing Day.
Last season's Premier League runners-up are set to face an Aston Villa side who have looked a different proposition since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager. Back-to-back victories over Manchester United and Brighton have pushed them towards mid-table and they have a chance to gain revenge on Liverpool after a narrow 2-1 defeat at the end of last season.
Only one of Liverpool's returning World Cup stars started at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, with Darwin Nunez playing the full 90 minutes, while two others came off the bench. Klopp is expected to ring the changes ahead of a first league game in over a month, with more of those involved in Qatar returning to the fold.
Goalkeeper and defence
After Caoimhin Kelleher kept his place in the cup XI, it's time for Alisson to return. The Brazil keeper wasn't thrust straight back in after his country's World Cup elimination at the quarter-final stage but he should be ready to go at a ground where he conceded to compatriot Douglas Luiz last season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is also expected to return on the right of the back four after illness, with Andy Robertson continuing on the left after his busy evening in Manchester. Joel Matip came through that test unscathed after returning from injury and Virgil van Dijk should be ready for a first start since Netherlands fell to Argentina in Qatar.
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"Hendo [Jordan Henderson] is already training here. Virg is training here, but I don’t think we will try that. Hendo we will see, Trent we will see," Klopp said before the City game. " But this group worked now together for nearly two weeks and we made a real step and that’s cool."
Midfield
While Van Dijk was denied from the spot in his country's World Cup exit, Fabinho didn't even make it onto the pitch for Brazil's final game. The former Monaco star returned from the bench in midweek, though, and Klopp is likely to start him against Villa.
Henderson also returned to the pitch against City, and he too could start. The Reds captain started three times for England in Qatar and got more than half an hour on his return to competitive club action.
The return of the pair means there is only likely to be one survivor from the starting midfield at the Etihad Stadium. Thiago should keep his spot, with Stefan Bajcetic dropping out and Harvey Elliott taking up a different role.
Forwards
Young midfielder Elliott was used in a front three early in his Liverpool career but has tended to feature in a deeper role since returning from a productive loan at Blackburn. With Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota injured, though, there is a chance for Klopp to try the former Fulham man ahead of Fabio Carvalho, who scored against City.
That is likely to be the only change from the front line used in the last game. Mohamed Salah returned to scoring form, while Nunez missed a handful of presentable chances, but both did enough to earn starts at Villa Park.
Klopp's hand is forced somewhat by the absence of Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian wasn't involved at the World Cup but picked up an injury earlier in the week, with the manager revealing he is being assessed day by day. Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota remain long-term absentees.
Liverpool predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho; Salah, Nunez, Elliott.
