Liverpool head to Leicester City in the League Cup third round on Tuesday, as the Reds look to recover from their recent mini slump.
Leicester City vs. Liverpool
Tuesday, September 19, 2017 — 7:45pm (BST)
King Power Stadium
League Cup Third Round
Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley was a match that we have witnessed many times at Anfield in recent years, with poor finishing combined with defensive errors costing us.
It is now no win in three matches since the international break and concerns are starting to grow about how flawed this Reds team is.
Defensive errors continue to be costly, and there is still a lack of winners and consistency within the squad.
League Cup commitments come to the fore in midweek, as Liverpool aim to win a first piece of silverware since they won this tournament in 2012, beating Cardiff City on penalties at Wembley.
Trips to Leicester have not been kind to Liverpool recently, with the Foxes winning the last two meetings, and another defeat would only crank up the pressure further on Klopp and his players.
This is the least important competition for Liverpool this season, but any chance of winning a trophy should be seized.
Klopp will make changes to his side, in order to keep certain individuals fresh, and if his fringe players are not switched on, another long night at the King Power could await.
This is the first of two clashes at Leicester in the space of five days—back-to-back victories would really calm the current mood at Anfield.
Last Meeting: Leicester City 3-1 Liverpool
Team News
Klopp made seven alterations on Saturday, and more of the same is expected on Tuesday night.
This is a good opportunity to give key men a rest and allow squad players the chance to shine, and it will be a decent gauge of just how much depth there is now.
Most notably, this will see goalkeeper Danny Ward start between the sticks, as Klopp alternates between the Welshman, Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius.
Elsewhere, Joel Matip, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino have played every game so far in 2017/18, so it makes sense for the trio to be given the night off.
That could allow Joe Gomez to be used in his preferred centre-back role, while Marko Grujic and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will make their first starts for the club.
Klopp also suggested that Dominic Solanke will come in, and James Milner will hope to feature again, too.
Sadio Mane is still suspended after his sending off at Man City, while Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana are still out injured and Dejan Lovren is a doubt.
Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare is also likely to switch things up somewhat, with Jamie Vardy one of those who won’t play, following injury at Huddersfield Town at the weekend.
Robert Huth, Christian Fuchs and Matty James are also unavailable.
Last 5 at Leicester (All Competitions)
Leicester 3-1 Liverpool – February 27, 2017 (Vardy x2, Drinkwater; Coutinho)
Leicester 2-0 Liverpool – February 2, 2016 (Vardy x2)
Leicester 1-3 Liverpool – December 2, 2014 (Mignolet OG; Lallana, Gerrard, Henderson)
Leicester 0-0 Liverpool – March 28, 2004
Leicester 1-4 Liverpool – October 20, 2001 (Wise; Fowler x3, Hyypia)
King Power Stadium
Capacity: 32,312
Away fans’ pubs: The Counting House in Freemen’s Common has a nice mix of both home and away fans, and is on the way to the ground. The same applies to the Soaring Eagle Spur Steak and Grill, which is located over the road from the stadium itself.
Form
Leicester – Last five results (all competitions)
Drew 1-1 vs. Huddersfield
Lost 2-1 vs. Chelsea
Lost 2-0 vs. Man United
Won 4-1 vs. Sheffield United
Won 2-0 vs. Brighton
Liverpool – Last five results (all competitions)
Drew 1-1 vs. Burnley
Drew 2-2 vs. Sevilla
Lost 5-0 vs. Man City
Won 4-0 vs. Arsenal
Won 4-2 vs. Hoffenheim
Did You Know?
Robbie Fowler’s final goal of his first spell at Liverpool came at Leicester‘s former ground Filbert Street on October 20, 2001. The legendary Red scored a hat-trick that day.
Klopp’s View
Klopp spoke positively about Grujic and Oxlade-Chamberlain, on the eve of them both starting for the Reds:
“Marko Grujic made a big step in his development, but nobody could see it so far. It’s really good to give him the opportunity.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Alex to go in. Since he joined it’s been pretty difficult to train on different things because it’s game after game after game.
“He also had a wonderful impact when he came on in the last game [against Burnley].”
TV & Live Blog Info
The match is live on Sky Sports Main Event from 7:30pm (BST), with kickoff at 7:45pm.
Our matchday live blog will be in full flow from 7pm, with Ben Twelves in charge of talking you through what we hope is a memorable Liverpool win.
Fan Comments