Liverpool will chase their fifth straight victory in all competitions when they host the underperforming Leicester City in the Premier League on Thursday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side cruised into the last 16 of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win against Cardiff City at the weekend and will shift their focus once again to keeping pace with league leaders Manchester City.
The Reds currently trail the champions by 12 points, but have two games in hand.
Leicester, meanwhile, are languishing in 12th and enter this clash on the back of a humbling 4-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool have not lost to Leicester in 11 straight games at Anfield in all competitions, but Brendan Rodgers did mastermind a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture in December.
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah is in contention to start, having returned from international duty with Egypyt. Sadio Mane, however, is unavailable.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez have recovered from COVID-19, but neither is expected to start this game.
Jordan Henderson is still battling a back problem, but new signing Luis Diaz has been passed fit after picking up a minor knock against Cardiff.
Divock Origi is still a doubt.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup vs Leicester City (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Alisson will return to the side after sitting out the FA Cup win against Cardiff. The Brazilian has kept 10 clean sheets in the league this season, second only to Manchester City’s Ederson.
Defenders
Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas started against Cardiff, but could make way for Joel Matip and Andy Robertson respectively. Matip is slowly rediscovering his best form after multiple injuries. Virgil van Dijk will partner Matip in the center, with Trent Alexander-Arnold set to continue at right back in the Liverpool lineup.
Midfielders
If Henderson is passed fit, he will slot straight into the central midfield of the Liverpool lineup. The Englishman will partner Thiago and Fabinho, who has developed into one of Liverpool’s most important players.
Curtis Jones and Naby Keita featured against Cardiff, but will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench for this game.
Attackers
Klopp declared in his press conference ahead of the game that Mohamed Salah is available for selection despite only just returning from the AFCON. The Egyptian, who is Liverpool’s top-scorer this season with 16 goals, will start on the right side of a three-man frontline in the Liverpool lineup.
With Sadio Mane unavailable and Luis Diaz still finding his feet, Roberto Firmino will lead the line for Liverpool with Diogo Jota starting on the left.
