Liverpool vs Leicester City
Time – India: 12:45 AM (Monday); UK: 07:15 PM (Sunday)
Venue: Anfield
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Liverpool have not lost a league game at home since getting beaten by Crystal Palace 2-1 in April 2017. They have been an impregnatable force at Anfield over the last three-and-a-half years and it has formed the basis for their success.
But that record could come under serious pressure on Sunday evening when Leicester City visit Merseyside. Brendan Rodgers’ team have been scoring goals for fun and they will be coming up against a Reds side who are dealing with potentially season-defining injuries in their backline.
The Reds still have the attack that won them the Premier League and the Champions League in the last two years but it is at the back that Jurgen Klopp has massive problems.
It is still unknown how the Reds could line up at the back on Sunday as some of the players will be subjected to late fitness tests. A patched-up defence will come under the cosh against a Jamie Vardy-led attack.
If the Merseyside giants can get through this game with their unbeaten record at Anfield intact, it could speak a lot about their mental fortitude and title credentials this season.
Liverpool vs Leicester City: Head-to-Head
Total games – 114
Liverpool wins – 50
Leicester City wins – 39
Draws – 25
Liverpool have the superior record over Leicester in this fixture since the first time these two sides met in November 1895.
However, Leicester have not beaten the Reds since 2017 and lost five of their last six meetings against the Reds. Their last meeting on Boxing Day 2019 ended in a 4-0 defeat for Leicester at home.
Liverpool vs Leicester City: Recent form
Liverpool form: D-W-W-W-W
Leicester City form: W-W-W-W-W
Despite their mounting injury concerns, Liverpool have not lost a game since their 7-2 defeat at Aston Villa in early October. They have won four of their last five in all competitions and managed to get a draw against Manchester City ahead of the international break.
Leicester are also coming into the game on the back of some great form and have won their last three on the trot in the Premier League after losing in back-to-back games against West Ham and Aston Villa.
Liverpool vs Leicester City: Team news
Liverpool
As mentioned before, Liverpool have been ravaged by injuries in their defence and at some point this week it seemed they could be without their entire first-choice back-four.
However, Andy Robertson is expected to be fit to feature against Leicester on Sunday evening. Klopp is yet to ascertain on Joel Matip’s partner at centre-back as Fabinho will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the game. Midfielder Thiago Alcantara is also pushing to be fit ahead of Sunday’s fixture.
Liverpool will be also without Jordan Henderson, who has sustained a thigh injury, and Mohamed Salah, who tested positive for the coronavirus after attending his brother’s wedding in Egypt during the international break.
Leicester City
The Foxes have also been dealing with an injury crisis but some of those concerns are beginning to ease.
Timothy Castagne and Wesley Fofana are slated to the return to the squad ahead of the Liverpool clash.
But they will still be missing Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi, Daniel Amartey and Caglar Soyuncu.
Liverpool vs Leicester City: Probable XI
Liverpool: Alisson; Williams, Fabinho, Matip, Robertson; Jones, Wijnaldum, Keita; Jota, Firmino, Mane
Leicester City: Schmeichel; Fofana, Evans, Fuchs; Castagne, Mendy, Tielemans, Justin; Maddison, Vardy, Barnes
Liverpool vs Leicester City: Where to watch
India: Star Sports 2, Star Sports Select HD 2
UK: Sky Sports Main Evening, Sky Sports Premier League
Stream in India: Disney+ Hotstar
Stream in the UK: Sky Sports App
Liverpool vs Leicester City: Prediction
Liverpool’s three-and-a-half-year unbeaten run at home in the league is at stake and they are severely weakened at the back due to injuries. Leicester City will fancy their chances of breaking the Reds’ home record and they have the attack to put the champions’ defence under pressure.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are likely to score more than one at Anfield on Sunday but we are banking on Liverpool’s attack bailing the side out and getting a point.
Liverpool vs Leicester City predicted scoreline: 2-2
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