Leicester City will be bidding to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Friday evening.
The Foxes have endured a mixed 2022/23 Premier League campaign as they sit 13th in the table with 17 points from 16 games. They had won back-to-back games before the World Cup but resumed the league campaign in not so great fashion on Boxing Day, losing 3-0 to Newcastle United at home.
So, Brendan Rodgers should be expecting a response from his boys at Liverpool, who are sixth in the table and have won their last three league games.
Leicester City Team News
James Maddison missed Leicester City’s defeat to Newcastle United with a fresh knee problem, and the midfielder has been ruled out of the trip to Liverpool as he visited a specialist on Wednesday to understand the extent of his problem.
Dennis Praet suffered a hamstring injury against Newcastle and will join Ryan Bertrand and James Justin on the sidelines, while Ricardo Pereira is yet to return to full fitness. Skipper Jonny Evans is also likely to miss out with a niggling calf problem.
Predicted Leicester City Lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Danny Ward would have been disappointed after conceding three goals against Newcastle on Boxing Day. The Welsh shot-stopper will need to be at his best to keep a clean sheet on Friday as he returns to his former employers.
Defence
Brendan Rodgers should stick to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with Wout Faes partnering Daniel Amartey in central defence. Timothy Castagne and Luke Thomas will be tasked with providing attacking impetus and energy from the full-back positions, but the duo have to be switched on when defending against a top Liverpool side.
Jannik Vestergaard and Caglar Soyuncu should provide cover for defensive positions from the bench.
Midfield
Youri Tielemans and Boubakary Soumare will continue holding the midfield for the Foxes, with Wilfried Ndidi not yet 100% fit to start games. Tielemans and Soumare must shield the back four and expertly distribute the ball from the centre of the pitch against the Reds.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been one of the bright spots for Leicester this season and should operate in the No.10 role in James Maddison’s injury absence. Ndidi could come on from the bench if required, just like he did in the defeat to Newcastle. Nampalys Mendy will also be a midfield option Rodgers may bring on in the second half.
Attack
Marc Albrighton and Harvey Barnes are expected to take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right wing, respectively. As Patson Daka was ineffective against Newcastle in the last game, Rodgers could go with the wily Jamie Vardy up top at Anfield.
Vardy will look to play on the shoulder of the last defence and hope to bury home the chances that come his way. If the Foxes are in need of more firepower, Rodgers could bring on Daka and Iheanacho off the bench.
WARD
CASTAGNE FAES AMARTEY THOMAS
TIELEMANS SOUMARE
BARNES DEWSBURY-HALL ALBRIGHTON
VARDY
