For the champions, when it rains, it pours as Jurgen Klopp’s side are back in the Premier League after a torrid international break. Even though the Reds are placed high in the league table, with so many injuries, it will be difficult to sustain dominance. Liverpool play hosts to Leicester City who are in good form and will look to take advantage of the situation the Reds are in.
It will be very interesting to see how Jurgen Klopp selects his team for the game as most of his first-team players are unavailable. The defence and the midfield will be areas of concern as the likes of Henderson, Gomez and Robertson will be out for the game. But this Liverpool side has time and again come out and won against all odds, thus writing them off could be a mistake.
Let us now have a look at how Jurgen Klopp might set his Liverpool side up against Leicester City in the weekend.
THE 4-3-3
This might be the best lineup for Klopp with the likes of Van Dijk. Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson, Salah and Gomez completely ruled out for the game. Robertson, Alexander-Arnold and Rhys Williams are all doubts because of niggles they suffered in the international break. Klopp will have to put faith on his new and young guns to fire until at least the senior pros get fit.
In such a system, James Milner will be the key to Liverpool’s success, as he has a wealth of experience and will be able to guide the youngsters. Naby Keita will also be expected to start for the Reds, after coming from an injury lately. Gini Wijnaldum has had a wonderful international break with the Netherlands and will look to repeat the accolades for Liverpool as well.
The defence and midfield will have to be very careful of the threat Leicester City posses, as the Vardy, Maddison and Tielemans have been in fine form recently and amongst the goals. Also, without their first-choice full-backs, Liverpool might find it difficult to create chances. Klopp will have to tweak his tactics a little as the young guns will be rusty without game-time.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is the only other system Klopp has used at Liverpool, in such a system, Shaqiri might come into play. But it is likely to the manager to go for this team as it is his tried and tested team of bench warmers. This system might favour Liverpool’s current situation, as the defence is inexperienced and with the double pivot, it will help the team defensively.
Jota has done very well for his new club and has been amongst the goals, and Klopp will expect the same from him in the weekend as well. The likes of Mane and Firmino will be vital for Liverpool as the Reds will need to outscore Leicester City, who have a very good attack. With a shaky defence, Liverpool have to score more goals to have any chance of winning the game.
Klopp will have to figure out a way to win the game as he will want Liverpool to challenge for the title yet again.
