Liverpool vs Leicester City: Team News, Predicted XI, and Match Preview
Liverpool will take on Leicester at Anfield, an encounter that the Reds will hope to win.
Liverpool vs Leicester City: Preview
Coming away with all three points from the West Midlands did not affect Liverpool’s position in the Premier League, with the Reds remaining in sixth place. But Tottenham Hotspur’s draw against Brentford means Jurgen Klopp’s team is now just five points behind the fourth-placed Lilywhites, who have played one more game.
Rounding off a highly successful but also turbulent 2022 with a sixth consecutive competitive win is no less than what the Anfield faithful expect this week. Only one of their last 31 Premier League home games has ended in defeat. Though that did come at the hands of Leeds United only two months ago.
The Reds have lost two of their last three Premier League games against Leicester, the same number as they had in their previous 17. They did, however, win this exact match 2-0 in February of last season.
Leicester has lost nine of their last 11 Premier League away games against Liverpool (D2), after winning three consecutive games at Anfield between 1997 and 2000.
Liverpool’s final league game of 2021 was a 1-0 loss at Leicester. They haven’t lost their final league game in consecutive calendar years since 1960/1961 when they were in the second tier and faced Middlesbrough and Rotherham.
Team News
The arrival of Gakpo comes at an ideal time for Liverpool, who are still without Arthur, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz on a long-term basis, and Roberto Firmino is also unlikely to recover from his calf injury anytime soon.
James Milner (hamstring) and Curtis Jones (shin) are also aiming for comebacks against Brentford on January 2. Whereas Gakpo may be available if Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven can work out the details. However, it is unlikely he will be available for the match against Leicester.
Ibrahima Konate, the World Cup finalist, has returned to training for Liverpool. He could be one of a couple of changes amid the hectic festive schedule. With the fresh legs of Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho also potentially being used in the first XI.
Predicted Line-up
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Elliott; Salah, Nunez, Carvalho
What Anfield Home Predicts?
Leicester’s tenacious defense from just before the World Cup was rendered ineffective. Although, it was against a Newcastle side hungry for goals, and a similar fate might await Rodgers. Additionally, James Maddison has seen a specialist about his knee injury and will not be available to face Liverpool. This is a big blow for Leicester.
Also, it will be interesting to see how the club handles James Maddison’s future. Maddison’s talent has been a game-changer for Leicester City this season, and the 26-year-old was linked with a move to Newcastle United last summer. It has been suggested that the St James’ Park club could make an attempt to sign him in January.
The Anfield faithful are no doubt in a good mood after recent events on and off the field. Klopp’s in-form side should take full advantage of home advantage and end 2022 with another three points against Leicester.
Our prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
