Liverpool will go into this weekend’s Premier League fixture, seeking revenge as they face Leicester City. The Foxes knocked them out in the League Cup this midweek, through goals from Shinji Okazaki and Islam Slimani. The Reds will be aware of their defensive mishaps against a quick paced Leicester attack.
It hasn’t exactly been a great September for Jurgen Klopp, whose side is yet to win since their 4:0 drubbing of Arsenal back in August. The former Dortmund boss faced a lot of criticism from fans and experts, primarily because of Liverpool’s defensive misery. The Merseyside club has conceded more goals than any other club in the top half of the Premier League and only struggling Everton and West Ham have conceded more than Jurgen Klopp’s men this season.
The 50-year-old has a point to prove especially after a week full of criticism. The 4th official did a write-up on whether his time at Liverpool is really nearing its end. And the disturbing analogy could prove to be correct if the Reds again muck up against the Foxes this weekend. Klopp will have the worst record than any other manager from the Top 6 clubs, who were sacked in the past decade, as I was informed from a list compiled by Daily Star.
Leicester on the other hand, also needs a desperate win, after dawdling on the wrong side of the table so far. Craig Shakespeare’s men have won only one of the five matches this season and they too have some serious issues in defence. Despite strengthing the backline with the acquisitions of Harry Maguire and Aleksandar Dragovic, the Foxes have conceded nine goals so far. A fraudulent defensive display against the potent Liverpool attack will not be acceptable from the former Premier League champions this weekend.
Team News
Leicester City will be boosted by the return of Jamie Vardy and Christian Fuchs after missing midweek’s game against Liverpool. Striker Islam Slimani could also retain his place in the starting lineup after scoring the decisive second goal. However, the hosts will miss the services of midfielder Matty James as he remains sidelined due to injury.
As for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp might have to juggle his squad around, after a tiring midweek game. Emre Can, Joel Matip, and Dejan Lovren will all have to endure late fitness tests to be considered in the starting lineup and you could bet that at least one of them will surely fail to get into the team this weekend. Emre Can, in particular, is a doubt for the weekend clash. New signing Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain could be given his second start in four days, following the lack of options on the right-hand side.
Predicted Lineups
Leicester City(4-4-2 formation): Kasper Schmeichel; Danny Simpson, Wes Morgan, Harry Maguire, Christian Fuchs; Riyad Mahrez, Wilfred Ndidi, Andy King, Marc Albrighton; Jamie Vardy, Islam Slimani
Liverpool(4-3-3 formation): Simon Mignolet; Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan, Alberto Moreno; Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Coutinho.
Predictions
Leicester 1-3 Liverpool
Odds
Leicester City: 31/10
Draw: 29/10
Liverpool: 10/11
