Liverpool return to Anfield after the World Cup break as they welcome a struggling Leicester City side on Friday night in the Premier League in the last game of the calender year for both teams.
On the search for a third successive victory in top flight action, Jurgen Klopp’s side will be tipped as the favourites for the upcoming tie against an under-fire Leicester City which sits in the bottom half of the league standings.
The Reds picked up a convincing 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day to mark their return to Premier League duty with goals from Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Stefan Bajcetic’s debut senior strike ensuring the three points up for grabs at Villa Park.
With Liverpool’s inspiring run of form sounding out hope that the top four is within reach, the Anfield faithful would be counting on their side to deliver another solid outing to come out on top against Brendan Rodger’s Leicester who were defeated rather resoundingly by Newcastle United last time out in a 3-0 scoreline.
The 13th-placed Foxes remain four points adrift of the drop zone but would be heading into the upcoming contest wary of the threat Liverpool poses when playing in front of the home support at Anfield with only one of their last 31 Premier League home outings ending in defeat.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Thursday 30 December 2022
Time: 8:30 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate linked up with the Reds in training and is now available for selection after an extended break for the World Cup runner-up Frenchman.
Midfield duo Curtis Jones and James Milner are certain to be sidelined for the upcoming game but Naby Keita could be in the mix to make the squad and even secure a starting berth at the expense of Thiago Alcantara.
Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz remain injury concerns for the foreseeable future and new signing Cody Gakpo, whose move to Liverpool from PSV was announced earlier in the week, will not be in contention for selection as his contract goes into effect on Sunday.
Roberto Firmino is likely to return to training ahead of the Leicester clash and should he be deemed fit to feature in the game, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be seen dropping out of the XI.
KEY BATTLE
Darwin Nunez vs Jamie Vardy
Nunez came under fire for his horrid outing in front of goal in the win over Aston Villa, despite the Uruguayan striker putting in a good shift on the pitch only to falter when goalscoring opportunities came his way.
With Cody Gakpo coming in through the door at Anfield to become Jurgen Klopp’s latest front-line option, the pressure on Nunez’s shoulders to return to his prolific best would increase and the former Benfica dangerman would be hoping to emerge as the difference maker for his side against Leicester.
The Foxes, meanwhile, will count upon talisman Jamie Vardy, who enjoys a great record when playing against Liverpool, to trouble the Virgil van Dijk-led backline.
MATCH PREDICTION
The home side are backed to pip Leicester to the three points and end 2022 on a high with another win in the bag.
Liverpool 4-0 Leicester City
