Liverpool resume Premier League action on Saturday as they welcome an in-form Leicester City side who won 5-0 in their last Premier League outing. Liverpool had a roller coaster 4-3 win over Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
The Reds let in three goals after being 3-0 up inside the first thirty minutes, but ended up winning 4-3 thanks to some good finishing from hitman Mohamed Salah. Jurgen Klopp’s side had a torrid display against Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday but still managed to win 1-0, due a goalkeeping blunder from Dean Henderson. Television pundits and ex-players say these are the results which could help them ‘win the league’
Klopp said GK Alisson Becker is ‘very well‘ and will definitely be fit for the Premier League game vs Manchester United after the international break. Having won 7 off 7 this season, the Reds are now on a run of 16 games without dropping points. They sit top of the pile with title rivals Manchester City 5 points off.
Leicester City, who are on cruising form themselves, proved why they could well be challenging for a top 6 finish with a handsome 5-0 win at home to Newcastle. Jamie Vardy’s form against the ‘Big 6’ could be bells of danger for the Reds. The Englishman has scored 7 times against Saturday’s opposition in the last 6 games. The Foxes back 4 could be having a very busy day at the office, as they react to a full throttle Liverpool attack.
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers, who held the seat at Liverpool from 2012 to 2015 said, “They’re an incredible club. They’ve been amazing in these last couple of years”. He added, playing down his team’s chances of a top 6 finish, ” It’s still very early, we’re not getting carried away, that’s for sure”
The fixture ended 1-1 last season, where Sadio Mane opened proceedings only to see current Manchester United defender Harry Maguire equalise at half time.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS:
Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Joel Matip and Xherdan Shaqiri would both be missing the game vs Leicester, but would most likely be fit following the international break. GK Alisson is still a “maybe, maybe not” but might not feature in the starting eleven after just coming into full training on Thursday. Nathaniel Clyne remains out as well. Mo Salah, who scored a brace against Salzburg in the midweek, would be looking to be back in the Premier League scoring charts.
Newly awarded Liverpool Player of the month Bobby Firmino is arguably in the form of his life. The Brazilian would be starting in his preferred false 9 role. Sadio Mane would be looking to net his 50th goal for Liverpool in his 100th start for the Reds.
Predicted Line-Ups: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane 4-3-3
Liverpool linked midfielder James Maddison was passed fit ahead of the game. Nemesis Jamie Vardy is expected to start in the striker’s position. He scored twice versus Newcastle. After scoring 2 goals in as many games defender Ricardo Pereira is expected to slot in the LB role again.
Turkey international Çaglar Söyüncü and CB partner Jonny Evans would very well be aware of the threat that the Liverpool front three could cause. Matty James and Daniel Amartey remain unavailable.
Predicted Line-Ups: Schmeichel(C), Chilwell, Söyüncü, Evans, Pererira, Ndidi, Maddison, Tielemans, Choudhury, Barnes, Vardy
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool (54074)
English Premier League, Round 8
Time: 15:00 BST, Saturday.
