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.
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.
Clyne; Lovren; Matip; Milner
Henderson; Wijnaldum; Lallana
Mane; Firmino; Coutinho
Schmeichel
Simpson; Huth; Morgan; Fuchs
Mahrez; King; Drinkwater; Gray
Vardy; Okazaki
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
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