3 Things That Could Determine Liverpool’s Fate When They Take On The Struggling Leicester City

Liverpool face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium with both teams having different targets for the end of the season run-in. The Reds are looking to continue their charge for a top-four finish and are currently just three points behind second-placed Manchester City.

Leicester, on the other hand, lie just a point above the relegation places and have to deal with the sacking of manager Claudio Ranieri after their midweek defeat to Sevilla in the Champions League.

Liverpool have been unreliable in away games this season while Leicester are yet to score a goal in the Premier League in 2017.

The match will be interesting and certainly, both clubs need wins to continue their respective charges. The Reds will hope that they can play in the same manner as they did against Tottenham while Leicester will hope their players do turn up for this important clash.

The game could be won via a few battles between the sides and we look at the three key battles that could decide where the points head after 90 minutes.

Jamie Vardy vs Lucas Leiva

What a difference a season makes for a player. Vardy was one of the most feared strikers last season but teams seem to have found the way to stop him and the Englishman has only five Premier League goals to his name this season.

Vardy is known for his pace and with him scoring in the Champions League in midweek, he could turn his season around just in time to save Leicester from the drop. His pace will be key and that is something that Lucas Leiva has to be wary about.

The Brazilian midfielder has played as the central defender a number of times this season. Lucas was one of the best players in the game against Tottenham but fans will remember how he gifted Vardy a goal in the reverse fixture this season.

That mistake didn’t cost the Reds a lot as they won the game but playing away from home, the mistakes have to be kept to a minimum.

Wes Morgan vs Roberto Firmino

The big English defender is having a horrendous season and even in the game against Sevilla, he looked out of place and gave away a penalty to the home side. Morgan does not look like the player that can keep his defence organised and that could work in favour of Roberto Firmino.

The Brazilian is one of the hard working players in the Premier League and it will be no surprise if he targets Morgan and Robert Huth. The former Hoffenheim man would be looking to stretch the Leicester defence and create space for the likes of Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane to exploit.

Morgan has to be wary of the movement of the Brazilian and even if Firmino does not add to the eight Premier League goals he has scored this season, he will be a tough player to deal with for the Leicester City defence.

Christian Fuchs vs Sadio Mane

Fuchs is another player that is struggling to find form and will need a bit of a kicking if he is to get back to his Premier League winning form. The big Austrian is set to leave the club and is playing in the end of season mode, something that Liverpool could be looking to target.

Sadio Mane has been the player that has turned things around for the Reds and was the reason why they won the game against Tottenham.

Mane scored both the goals in the game and his pace will be key to unlocking the Leicester defence and ensuring that the Reds come back from the King Power with a point or even more.

The Senegalese has scored 11 Premier League goals this season and should Leicester not keep a track on him, it could end up being another great night for the 24-year-old attacker.