Fabinho, Keita and Wijnaldum have been Liverpool's midfield trio for two of their lowest points of the season… Surely Klopp won't gamble with them again this weekend after 7-2 mauling by Aston Villa and dismal Real Madrid display?

Daily Mail | April 9, 2021

Any mention of Aston Villa, or any glimpse of them ahead on the fixture list, is bound to send a shudder down Jurgen Klopp's spine.

That 7-2 thrashing Liverpool suffered at Villa Park back in October was one the worst, if not the worst, result Klopp has experienced in his distinguished career.

Just four games into their Premier League defence, the capitulation didn't exactly augur well when it came to back-to-back titles.

Naby Keita (right) reacts with dismay as Liverpool go two goals down against Real Madrid on Tuesday night - he was taken off after 42 minutes and the Reds went on to lose 3-1

Fabinho (left) and Georginio Wijnaldum (right) played alongside Keita in a midfield three against the Spanish champions - but the plan backfired for Klopp

The Liverpool boss pretty much admitted his error by removing Keita for Thiago at half-time

And so it has proved.