Liverpool are preparing themselves for their first home match of the season come Saturday at the redeveloped Anfield against last season’s champions, Leicester City.
Both teams sit with four points apiece after the opening three weeks of the new Premier League season.
Had Liverpool won at Burnley, their season would have been off to a very solid start. Gaining three points at the Emirates and a point at White Hart Lane is a great start for Jurgen Klopp’s men, but the blip at Burnley really does leave more disappointment than satisfaction. On a positive spin, they have a chance this weekend to get back on the winners list.
As for Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City, it’s been a slower start than what he would have liked. A loss on the opening day to newly promoted Hull City was no doubt a shock. But, they have slowly crawled their way back with a point against Arsenal and a win against Swansea City. It’s difficult to completely say what a good result is for Leicester at the minute. No one really knows their ambition after what happened last season. Most expect them to fade away, but Ranieri may have a different vision.
Key Battle – Jamie Vardy vs Dejan Lovren
Liverpool will have much more of the ball which is why this is such a key battle for the game. With the Foxes playing a counter-attacking brand of football, they will get Liverpool on the break at some point during the match.
It’ll be very similar to the Burnley game for Liverpool in the sense that they will be the team taking it to the opposition. With this being the case, the leader in the back four, Lovren, will have to be at his best when Vardy comes steaming towards him.
Moments make games, and for Lovren he needs to make sure he is up for the moment when it comes his way – something he and his fellow defenders failed to do against Burnley.
Team News
Liverpool did have an injury scare while Sadio Mane was out on international duty, but it was not a serious issue and he’s set to start against the Foxes. Whether Klopp decides to start a recognised striker against Leicester City, only time will tell, but if previous team selections are anything to go by then we will see Roberto Firmino play in the false nine again. Emre Can has been ruled out due to an ongoing ankle problem and Ragnar Klavan is also sidelined.
As for Leicester City, it’s difficult seeing any change to the side that won at Swansea City. Ranieri tends to stick with a winning formula which has been key to their success in recent times.
Liverpool expected XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho.
Leicester City expected XI: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Amartey, Mahrez, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy.
Head-to-Head
In their 84 meetings, Liverpool have won 33, two more than Leicester City. 20 draws have also been played out respectively between the two sides.
Previous Meeting
Leicester City came out 2-0 winners last season at the King Power Stadium thanks to a brace from talisman Vardy.
The England international’s opening goal was a stunning volley from 25 yards which looped over Simon Mignolet and was widely regarded as one of the best strikes of the campaign.
NEWS | “He’s not a great player and I just think the job is a bit too much for him.” #PL #LFC #Liverpool #YNWA https://t.co/johxa2OZtA
— Outside90 (@Outside90) September 9, 2016
Prediction
Liverpool are bound to concede until their back four is settled, so they will ultimately have to score more than one if they want to win this game. But, with Leicester City inevitably sitting deep in this match, it’s difficult seeing the Reds, who have struggled to break down such teams, scoring more than one. A draw seems a likely result in the context of everything, which will suit Leicester more than it does for Liverpool.
Liverpool 1 Leicester City 1
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