Predicted 4-4-2 Leicester City Lineup To Face Liverpool: Okazaki And Slimani To Start?

After knocking Liverpool out of the third round of the League Cup earlier this week, Craig Shakespeare’s Leicester City side are back in action this weekend as they host a replay of the domestic cup fixture on Saturday. The Foxes have now won each of their last three home games against Jurgen Klopp’s side and will be full of confidence going into this game.

Liverpool are now wounded and will look to hit back hard in this clash but Leicester will hope for more of the same. Here is the predicted lineup Shakespeare might field for this tie:

Team News

In early team news, Christian Fuchs is nearing a first-team return but might not be used as yet. Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ujjoa will both be tested before the game for fitness. They remain the only absentees for this match.

Expected lineup (4-4-2)

Defence

Though Ben Hamer was decent in the League Cup, Kasper Schmeichel remains the first choice at the club and should star on goal this weekend. Wes Morgan was solid in that game and should keep his place in the side for this game. He should be partnered with Harry Maguire, who was rested earlier in the week.

Ben Chilwell should continue to deputise at left-back until Fuchs is completely back from his injury while Danny Simpson should keep his place at right-back to complete the backline for Leicester.

Midfield

Wilfried Ndidi was industrious in the 2-0 victory over their weekend’s opponents and deserves to start this game in the middle of the field. Andy King and his energy might be preferred to partner Ndidi in the midfield.

Marc Albrighton also had a decent outing and should keep his place on the left-side of the midfield while Algerian ace Riyad Mahrez is expected to be pushed back into the starting XI after missing the League Cup game. He needs to be at his best if Leicester are to repeat their performance from Tuesday.

Attack

With Jamie Vardy still doubtful and Ujjoa not in great form, Shakespeare has no real option but to use Shinji Okazaki and Islam Slimani as the attacking pair up front.

Both players were on the scoresheet at the weekend and deserve to start this tie. If English striker Jamie Vardy is fit, he is expected to replace Slimani in attack while Fuchs may yet be able to jump into the starting XI, replacing the young Chilwell.

Here is how they might line up: