Liverpool have another home Premier League game to look forward to this weekend, with Leicester City making the trip to Anfield.
Liverpool vs. Leicester City
December 30, 2017 — 3pm (GMT)
Anfield
Premier League
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
The Reds got back to winning ways on Boxing Day, with a hapless Swansea City side taken to the sword, in an eventual 5-0 win for Jurgen Klopp‘s men.
The second-half performance was superb, and it once again showed what this Liverpool side can do when everything falls into place.
The win over the Swans saw the Reds rise to fourth in the Premier League table, and it is now a case of consolidating that position over the remainder of the festive period.
Up next is the visit of Leicester – a team more than capable of troubling the best sides in the country on their day – in Liverpool’s final game of 2017.
The Foxes’ post-title-winning dip was completely inevitable, but Claude Puel has come in and steadied the ship, guiding them to eighth place.
If Liverpool aren’t switched on on Saturday afternoon, as was the case in the first-half against Swansea, their opponents will be waiting to pounce, especially on the counter-attack.
Changes are to be expected by Klopp, especially with a trip to Burnley on New Year’s Day to come, and fringe players will need to come in and do their bit.
Liverpool have enjoyed some straightforward league victories at Anfield this season, conceding just three times, but this will be a genuine test of their mettle.
Last Meeting: Leicester City 2-3 Liverpool
Team News
The quartet of Nathaniel Clyne, Alberto Moreno, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge are all out for the Reds, with it confirmed on Thursday that Henderson will miss at least the next six games.
Simon Mignolet is expected to keep his place in goal, while Joe Gomez could come back in for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Andrew Robertson is likely to continue at left-back.
The clean-sheet against Swansea means Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan should continue at centre-back, with the latter in impressive form of late.
James Milner stands a good chance of coming into the midfield, meaning Emre Can or Gini Wijnaldum potentially make way, while Adam Lallana will be aiming for a first start of the season.
Mohamed Salah (28) and Roberto Firmino (27) are Liverpool’s highest appearance-makers in 2017/18, so Klopp will surely consider giving them a breather on Saturday. Both are so key to his plans, however.
Sadio Mane will return, having not featured at all on Boxing Day, and Dominic Solanke could start, as he looks for his first ever Premier League goal.
Robert Huth and Matty James are both doubts for the visitors, but they are Puel’s only injury concerns.
Last 5 at home to Leicester City (All Competitions)
Liverpool 4-1 Leicester City – September 10, 2016 (Firmino x2, Mane, Lallana; Vardy)
Liverpool 1-0 Leicester City – December 26, 2015 (Benteke)
Liverpool 2-2 Leicester City – January 1, 2015 (Gerrard pen x2; Nugent, Schlupp)
Liverpool 2-1 Leicester City – September 20, 2003 (Owen pen, Heskey; Bent)
Liverpool 1-0 Leicester City – January 30, 2002 (Heskey)
Form
Liverpool – Last five results (all competitions)
Won 5-0 vs. Swansea City
Drew 3-3 vs. Arsenal
Won 4-0 vs. Bournemouth
Drew 0-0 vs. West Brom
Drew 1-1 vs. Everton
Leicester City – Last five results (all competitions)
Lost 2-1 vs. Watford
Drew 2-2 vs. Man United
Drew 1-1 vs. Man City (lost 4-3 on pens)
Lost 3-0 vs. Crystal Palace
Won 4-1 vs. Southampton
Did You Know?
Liverpool have lost just once to Leicester at Anfield this century – a 2-0 defeat on May 3, 2000, thanks to goals from Tony Cottee and Phil Gilchrist.
The Reds have won five of the last six home meetings with the Foxes.
Klopp’s View
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Klopp praised Leicester and discussed the threat they pose on the break:
“They are in a good way. Since Claude Puel they’ve changed. They are well organised and an incredible threat counter-attacking,” Klopp said.
“The speed of (Jamie) Vardy, (Riyad) Mahrez and (Demarai) Gray is dangerous.
“They haven’t had the results in the past few games but that will make them more greedy for the points.”
TV & Live Blog Info
The match isn’t televised in the UK, so come and join us on our matchday live blog.
Our coverage will get underway at 2:15pm (GMT), with kick-off at 3pm. Chris Williams is in the hot-seat, keeping you entertained throughout the afternoon and providing minute-by-minute updates during the game.
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