Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has made six changes for tonight’s Champions League meeting with Villarreal at Anfield, handing Lewis Koumas the responsibility of leading the attack.
Cody Gakpo returns to the starting XI after injury, while Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha are also included as Liverpool look to maintain their perfect start to the league phase.
The Reds have taken six points from their opening two European matches, beating Atlético Madrid 2-1 at Anfield before an entertaining 6-3 victory away to LASK.
Liverpool’s confirmed starting XI
Liverpool: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Nyoni; Gakpo, Mac Allister, Ngumoha; Koumas.
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Chambers, Kerkez, Laffey, McConnell, Wirtz, Barcola, Isak, Danns.
Six changes as Iraola rotates
Gakpo’s return is a welcome boost after his recent injury absence. The Dutchman was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League victory at Brentford and now gets an opportunity from the start.
Ryan Gravenberch returns after serving a domestic suspension, partnering Nyoni in midfield. Alexis Mac Allister takes up a more advanced position behind Koumas, with Gakpo and Ngumoha providing the width.
Kostas Tsimikas replaces Milos Kerkez at left-back, while Alisson retains his place behind an unchanged central defensive partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Jérémy Jacquet.
Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola are among the attacking options on the bench. Academy midfielder Michael Laffey is also included in the Champions League matchday squad.
Injuries continue to limit Liverpool’s options
Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong are unavailable after suffering setbacks during Saturday’s victory at Brentford.
Frimpong could remain sidelined until after the November international break, while Iraola has indicated that Szoboszlai’s injury is less serious but requires further recovery time.
Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike also remain unavailable. Victor Munoz is absent from tonight’s squad.
A chance for Liverpool’s youngsters
There is plenty of attacking talent on the bench, but Iraola has chosen to trust youth from the opening whistle.
Nyoni faces an important test alongside Gravenberch, while Koumas and Ngumoha have another opportunity to show they can contribute at Champions League level.
The selection also places considerable responsibility on Mac Allister, whose experience and ability to link midfield with attack could be important against Villarreal.
The Spanish visitors arrive having beaten Napoli 3-1 in their previous European fixture. Liverpool will need to avoid giving them opportunities on the counterattack, particularly with an adventurous and relatively inexperienced attacking line-up.
For Iraola, the challenge is to balance rotation with results. Six points from two games have given Liverpool an excellent start in Europe. A third successive victory would strengthen their position in the league-phase table.
Kick-off and TV coverage
Match: Liverpool vs Villarreal
Competition: UEFA Champions League, league phase
Date: Tuesday 20 October 2026
Venue: Anfield
Kick-off: 8pm BST
UK television: Amazon Prime Video
