Jurgen Klopp’s men, who had started the season with mixed results, will be playing their first home game of the new Premier league season and this time, they will be looking to kick it off in style, but the task won’t be an easy one as the visiting team is none other than the defending champions Leicester City.
Not very surprisingly, the Reds have been a victim of inconsistency and we cannot blame the manager for that, as many players are struggling with fitness issues. Furthermore, what has surprised the spectators is the form of the Foxes. The defending Premier League champions started their campaign with a defeat to Hull City, then went on play a goalless draw against Arsenal and finally came back on track as they managed to grab the winner against Swansea City.
The sides were difficult to separate last season, but Liverpool got the better of the Foxes last time out when they visited the Anfield, but then faced a humiliating defeat in the reverse fixture.
Liverpool vs Leicester City team news:
The home side will be without the services of the midfielder Emre Can and defender Ragnar Klavan. The German international injured an ankle in the EFL Cup win over Burton on August 23. Although he is back in training, the manager will be looking to give him the much-needed rest.
Furthermore, the Estonian skipper, Ragnar Klavan has reported back from international duty with a bruised knee. Goalkeeper Loris Karius has returned to training after surgery on a broken hand and is likely to be on the bench, hence, Mignolet will be retaining his place, while the centre back pairing will most probably be of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
For the visitors, Ranieri confirmed that Slimani is available to play on Saturday, although it’s likely that he’ll be introduced from the bench.
Nampalys Mendy and Jeff Schlupp are close to a return but are unlikely to feature on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had a hernia operation during the international break but has recovered in time and will start in goal.
Predicted Lineup
Liverpool:
Mignolet
Clyne; Lovren; Matip; Milner
Henderson; Wijnaldum; Lallana
Mane; Firmino; Coutinho
Leicester City:
Schmeichel
Simpson; Huth; Morgan; Fuchs
Mahrez; King; Drinkwater; Gray
Vardy; Okazaki
Stats: (taken from FourFourTwo)
- Liverpool were one of just two teams to beat Leicester in the Premier League last season (along with Arsenal), winning 1-0 at Anfield in December.
- After winning three league games in a row at Anfield between 1997 and 2000, Leicester have failed to win any of their last five there (D1 L4).
- Liverpool have won more games against the reigning Premier League champions than any other side has (19).
- The reigning Premier League champion has not won a league game at Anfield since Manchester United won 1-0 in December 2007 (D3 L5 since).
- No team has conceded more goals in the Premier League this season than Liverpool (6, level with Watford and Stoke).
- Jamie Vardy has found the net six times in his last seven Premier League games, and scored both of Leicester’s goals in their 2-0 win over Liverpool in February.
- Claudio Ranieri has won just one of his five previous league games at Anfield, back in August 2003 (D1 L3).
- Liverpool have covered more distance than any other Premier League side this season (346km).
- The Foxes have collected 46 points in 2016, more than any other Premier League side (W13 D7 L2).
Prediction:
Both the teams maintained a kingly home record against each other, so it is fair to say that Liverpool have an upper hand in the fixture. Besides, Liverpool are more of an attacking threat and their pace can easily cut the comedy for the Leicester’s defenders.
But then again, their defence is something which will have to be consistent throughout and only with that, they can manage to stop the players like Vardy, Okazaki, and Mahrez.
2-0 Liverpool
