Andoni Iraola will make a handful of changes as Liverpool host Villarreal in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Reds endured a frustrating trip to Brentford on Saturday despite picking up a turnaround 2-1 victory, with both Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong forced off with injuries.

Speaking ahead of this Villarreal match, Iraola confirmed the pair will both miss Tuesday’s fixture, with Frimpong facing several weeks out but Szoboszlai’s issue deemed less serious.

As such, Ryan Gravenberch is expected to be reinstated into the midfield here, after he missed the Brentford trip as he served a red card suspension.

He will slot back into the centre of the park at Anfield, partnering Alexis Mac Allister at the base of the midfield.

Cody Gakpo spent Saturday on the bench having only recently shaken off an injury, but Andoni Iraola has confirmed he expects the Dutchman to feature in the Champions League. He will take the place of Victor Munoz on the flank, completing a front four with Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola and Alexander Isak

Ronald Araujo spoke alongside Iraola at the pre-match press conference, suggesting he is in line to start. Having only played 45 minutes last time out, he should be fit and fresh.

He will remain at right-back as part of an unchanged back four, though there may be scope for Kostas Tsimikas to come in.

The youngsters Rio Ngumoha, Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni will all be keen for a chance to impress off the bench after doing so at the Gtech Stadium.

Joining Szoboszlai and Frimpong on the treatment table are Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, both recovering from long-term knee problems.

Liverpool XI vs Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak

Injured: Szoboszlai, Frimpong, Ekitike, Leoni, Bradley

Time and date: 8pm BST on Tuesday October 20, 2026

Venue: Anfield

How to watch: Amazon Prime

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