Defenders: Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno
Nathaniel Clyne is Liverpool’s most consistent player and it will be impossible for Liverpool to not play him, even though he is playing restlessly. He does not have a problem playing week in week out and he is a key defender for Liverpool and his defensive stats show that. Jon Flanagan has returned to full training for Liverpool, but it looks like he is still not fit enough to be on Liverpool’s team.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed during his Pre-Leicester press meeting that Dejan Lovren has returned from injury and fit to play. And with that being said we expect Lovren to replace Martin Skrtel who got injured last week against Watford. Mamadou Sakho returned to Liverpool’s starting line-up last week, but the Frenchman had a disastrous game. He will be looking to put his setback away and gain his form back. Alberto Moreno is a player who has been in good form for Liverpool recently. He is good at going forward and his defensive game has also developed a lot. He will be continuing as Liverpool’s left back on boxing day.
Midfielders: Lucas Leiva, Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho.
Lucas Leiva did not have a good game against Watford last week. Things were not going right for him and he was forced to play as centre back when Martin Skrtel got injured. Like the whole of Liverpool’s squad, Lucas will also be looking to put the setback away and get back to doing his dirty business as Liverpool’s defensive midfielder.
Emre Can has been solid for Liverpool, but at times he is sloppy and rusty. He will be a top player for Liverpool if he can get that right. Can will be continuing in Liverpool’s midfield against Leicester. Jurgen Klopp confirmed during the press meeting that Liverpool vice captain, James Milner, is still out due to injury. Jordan Henderson looked good in the two games he started after returning to Liverpool’s starting eleven. He will be looking to lead his side to a boxing day glory. Coutinho is Liverpool’s top scorer at the moment and he will be definitely a key player who can decide the game on Saturday.
Strikers: Divock Origi, Christian Benteke
It might be time for Jurgen Klopp to make a change in Liverpool’s formation. The ‘4-3-3’ formation has not quiet worked out for Liverpool lately. Maybe Klopp should turn to the the ‘4-4-2’ diamond formation. It is the formation that helped destroy the Saints earlier in December.
Divock Origi has been in fine form and is high on confidence. Klopp should give the young Belgian a chance. Benteke, on the other hand, is having a tough time. He is not able to contribute anything to Liverpool’s game and he has been receiving a lot of stick from the fans lately. Playing him along with Origi might change things around. They are fellow countrymen and they will look to help each other out and Benteke’s physicality could prove vital against Leicester. The Foxes have scored a lot of goals, but they have also given away goals, Liverpool should look to take advantage of their defense and put some balls in the back of the net.