Standing in the 4th place in the points table, 20 games into the season, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool are one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League, having managed a 13-game unbeaten run, after the 5-0 victory over Swansea City on Boxing Day. They are back in action this weekend when they welcome a Leicester City side that recently managed to take a point from their game against Manchester United.
Fresh from a loss against Watford, the Foxes stand in the 8th place in the points table and cannot afford to drop any points, if they are to fight for a place in Europe. However, the hosts will be favourites to take all three points from this tie and here is the predicted lineup Klopp might field:
Team News
Klopp is still without defensive duo Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno, both of whom are long-term absentees. Skipper Jordan Henderson, midfielder Marko Grujic and striker Daniel Sturridge are also missing from the squad for this game. Klopp is expected to make a few changes, with Liverpool playing Burnley exactly 48 hours later.
Expected lineup (4-3-3)
Defence
Simon Mignolet, even with his mistakes, remains the first choice for Klopp in the league and the Belgian is expected to keep his place in the side under the bar. Joel Matip came back from an injury and helped his side to a clean sheet against Swansea, alongside Ragnar Klavan, who has been solid. The duo will start yet again this weekend but will have their work cut out, keeping the likes of Jamie Vardy away from goal.
Trent Alexandre-Arnold had a sensational game against Swansea but might be rested for the game against Burnley and should be replaced by Joe Gomez at right-back while Andrew Robertson, who has not done much wrong, should keep his place at left-back. He will have a tough time, keeping the likes of Riyad Mahrez under check in this game.
Midfield
Emre Can remains the only option for Klopp at defensive midfield with skipper Jordan Henderson out injured. The German will have to be at his best, to keep Leicester from benefitting from counter attacks. He could be partnered by Adam Lallana, who will make his first start for the club after a lengthy injury, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored his first goal at Anfield in a Red shirt, in the last game.
Philippe Coutinho could be rested and is expected to be fresh from the game at Turf Moor.
Attack
Though Klopp cannot field his fab-4, he can certainly call upon his first choice front three of Sadio Mane, who was an unused sub against Swansea, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Up against the likes of Harry Maguire, Wes Morgan, Ben Chilwell and Daniel Amartey, they will not have it as easy as in the 5-0 victory in the previous outing.
Here is how they might line up:
