Liverpool returns to Anfield after the World Cup break in the hope to carry on their winning run against visiting Leicester City to draw them closer to the top four in the table.
The Reds collected all three points in the 3-1 win away at Aston Villa whereas Leicester suffered a 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Newcastle United on their return to the Premier League.
LIV vs LEI Match Details
Date: Friday, 30 December 2022 / Saturday 31 December 2022
Time: 21:00 (BST) / 01:30 (IST)
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
LIV vs LEI Match Preview
Liverpool managed to keep their positive momentum intact after the World Cup break in overcoming a tricky game at Villa Park. Jurgen Klopp’s side looked more of their old-self in the match and despite the hosts causing trouble at the other end, the Reds were clinical with their chances. Mohamed Salah picked up where he left off completing a neat one-two passing move from Liverpool’s star full-back duo after a corner in only the fifth minute of the game. Van Dijk added a second from another corner while 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic finished off the scoring in the 81st minute. It dampened any comeback chances from Unai Emery’s team after Olle Watkins halved the deficit for them on the hour mark. Liverpool have now won three games on the bounce in the Premier League which they want to carry further to close their five points gap with the top four. Klopp has insisted that Champions League football can be secured by winning the competition itself but domestic form still holds value for the Reds after a worst-ever start to a Premier League season. They face Leicester City before the end of the year at Anfield. A fixture Liverpool haven’t lost at home since 2000 and dropped points only once in 2019 in this period. Even though the home side picked up a 2-0 victory last time out, two losses in the last three league meetings against Leicester City as many as they had in the previous 17 will be something to think of. The Foxes were also the team that erased year-end celebration for Liverpool fans last season but the Christmas signing of Cody Gakpo and the jolly atmosphere in Anfield should be enough for the Reds to seize the win.
It was not the start of their life in the Premier League Leicester City would have desired after the World Cup. High-flying Newcastle United completely blew apart Brendan Rodgers’s side in the 3-0 victory at home, halting their five-game unbeaten run in all competitions. The Foxes simply could not manage to break the Magpies’ threshold and failed to answer on the defending for the goals that went in. It was also the fourth loss at the King Power Stadium this season. Compared to the away form, Leicester have lost five and is a huge factor while traveling to Anfield for their last game of 2022. While the previous defeat on the road came two months ago, this venue has been a barren ground for the Foxes in recent outings with only three goals scored and 10 conceded in the last five visits. The absence of James Maddison has devoid the side of creativity but even with him, the team struggled defensively which has been a major stumbling block this season. However, Leicester City could draw inspiration from their manager Brendan Rodgers who has a decent record against his ex-club with only four losses out of nine games. A four-point lead from the relegation spot is maintained and the Foxes could widen that with a historical win at Liverpool this weekend. Their four-game unbeaten run away from home with wins in the last three is a wishful momentum they carry ahead of the clash but Anfield is a whole lot different challenge for an away side.
Recent Form (including friendlies)
LIV: WLWLW
LEI: LWDWW
Recent Form (Premier League)
LIV: LWWLW
LEI: WWWLL
LIV vs LEI Team News
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that new signing Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven will be available for the Reds next weekend after his work permit gets sorted. Defender Ibrahima Konate is back in training following the World Cup and can go straight into the starting lineup for this match.
Meanwhile, Leicester City is once again without James Maddison for the trip to Anfield. The number ten for the Foxes watched his side’s defeat to Newcastle in the game after the World Cup break from the stands. He has no specific date of return from his knee injury yet. Denis Praet will also miss the clash with an injury sustained against the Magpies.
LIV vs LEI Predicted Lineups
LIV: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara; Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho
LEI: Danny Ward; Timothy Castagne, Daniel Amartey, Wout Faes, Luke Thomas; Youri Tielemans, Wilfred Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall; Ayoze Perez, Jamie Vardy, Harvey Barnes
LIV vs LEI Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Alisson (8)
DEF: Trent (8), Faes (8), Van Dijk (8.5), Robertson (8.5)
MID: Tielemans (7.5), Thiago (7.5), Barnes (8)
FW: Salah (9), Vardy (7.5), Nunez (8.5)
Vice-captain: Andrew Robertson
Captain: Mohamed Salah
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