Leicester City will aim to avenge their last week’s Carabao Cup defeat on Tuesday evening when they host Liverpool at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League.
A week ago, the Foxes threw away a 3-1 lead at Anfield before going on to exit from the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on penalties. What followed for Brendan Rodgers’ side after the defeat at the hands of an understrength Liverpool side was a 6-3 thrashing by Manchester City on Boxing Day.
So, Brendan Rodgers will be desperate for a response against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who enjoyed a festive rest when their proposed Boxing Day encounter with Leeds United was postponed due to a spate of injuries and Covid-19 cases in the Whites’ camp.
The mini-break should have helped the Reds recharge their batteries ahead of their trip to East Midlands.
Leicester City vs Liverpool – Team News
Leicester City
Leicester City have been dealt a big blow with Ricardo Pereira ruled out for six to eight weeks with a fractured fibula following a challenge from Liverpool youngster Tyler Morton in the Carabao Cup. Ricardo joins Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu, Wesley Fofana, Patson Daka, Ryan Bertrand, Harvey Barnes, Danny Ward and James Justin on the sidelines.
Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi were not risked against Manchester City on Boxing Day, so they are likely to be available on Tuesday.
Kasper Schmeichel will take up his usual place in Leicester goal, where he will likely be protected by a three-man backline of Daniel Amartey, Jannik Vestergaard and Wilfred Ndidi.
Luke Thomas and Timothy Castagne will take up the wing-back positions and look to threaten the Reds with their deliveries in the box and overlapping runs.
Boubakary Soumare will offer a further safety net to the Foxes rear-guard, with Youri Tielemans adding creativity and energy from deeper areas in midfield. James Maddison is the link man that connects the Leicester midfield with attack, and he will be keen to show his class again.
Jamie Vardy is the Foxes’ chief source of goals, making him an undisputed starter against Liverpool. The ex-England international is expected to partner Kelechi Iheanacho up front.
Liverpool
As for Liverpool, Harvey Elliott, Nat Phillips, Divock Origi and Adrian continue their recoveries from their respective injury problems. Andy Robertson will serve the second game of his three-match ban after he had picked up a red card for a horror challenge on Tottenham’s Emerson Royal.
Meanwhile, Klopp will be boosted having seen the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara return to training after recovering from COVID-19.
Alisson Becker will start in goal for Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. In front of the Brazilian, Ibrahima Konate will partner the returning Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the first names on the team sheet and is a certainty to start at right-back. Kostas Tsimikas will continue deputising for the suspended Robertson at left-back.
"We're looking forward to it. We played them in the cup, it was a good game but we lost. We're hoping to do better in the Premier League and get something out of the game."
Kelechi Iheanacho speaks ahead of #LeiLiv 💬 pic.twitter.com/bCaVhEGjbp
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 28, 2021
In midfield, Fabinho could return to the Liverpool lineup, taking up his usual defensive midfield role. He will line up along with Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita in the Reds engine room, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner starting on the bench.
Diogo Jota is in red-hot form, along with Mohamed Salah, and they are expected to start up front. Sadio Mane will keep his place on the left wing, as Liverpool’s front three look to fashion their chances against a makeshift Leicester backline.
Leicester City vs Liverpool – Predicted Lineups
Leicester City Predicted Lineup (3-4-1-2): Kasper Schmeichel; Daniel Amartey, Wilfred Ndidi, Jannik Vestergaard; Timothy Castagne, Youri Tielemans, Boubakary Soumare, Luke Thomas; James Maddison; Kelechi Iheanacho, Jamie Vardy
Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita; Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane
Leicester City vs Liverpool – Key Players
Leicester City—Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy further demonstrated his class with a brace in the EFL Cup game at Liverpool last week, taking his tally to 10 goals in 14 appearances against the Reds. He is Leicester’s main man and Rodgers will want his top striker to fire all cylinders on Tuesday evening.
Mohamed Salah—Liverpool
With 22 goals in all competitions this season, there is no looking past Mohamed Salah. He guarantees goals and will pose the biggest threat for Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.
Prediction: Leicester City 1-3 Liverpool