Liverpool FC v Leicester City FC – Match Preview
Liverpool welcome Leicester City to Anfield to conclude 2022. Looking back, there were many highs and lows. The joy of winning the EFL Cup and FA Cups, and sorrow at being beaten in the Champions League final. However, there’s no more time for an afterthought as the Reds must get the business done against Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Overview
Liverpool returned to top-flight duties with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Monday, while Leicester were demolished 3-0 by an outstanding Newcastle United side.
Boxing day was special for Liverpool fans. Not only did the victory brought many smiles to faces, but also later the transfer of Cody Gapko was announced. Liverpool beat Manchester United to the signature of the attacker and the player was presented with the red shirt on Wednesday.
It’s a huge boost for the Reds, given how depleted the attack is now. Liverpool occupy 6th spot and are just five points worse off than Tottenham.
The battle for staying up in the top-flight is wide open. the Foxes may feel secure knowing no matter the score, they will enter the new year above the dotted line. As things stand, they are 13th and hold a four-point cushion over the relegation zone.
Head to head
You need to rewind back to May 2000 to discover the last time Liverpool came up short against the Foxes.
After that time, “the Reds” have locked horns with Brendan Rodgers’ outfit on 11 different occasions, in which they lost just four points out of 33.
Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a cameo performance back in December 2019. He was flying on the right-hand side, creating chaos in Leicester’s penalty box with crosses, and ended up the game with a goal to his name.
Team news
Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur will remain unavailable for team selection. James Milner is the latest player that picked up an injury, and the issue will keep him out of the contest.
Meanwhile, Curtis Jones and Roberto Firmino spend time in the treatment room, where they both nurse their issues. There’s one positive update – Ibrahim Konate has resumed training sessions and will be available.
Leicester will be without Ryan Bertrand, Ricardo Pereira, James Justin, Jonny Evans, James Maddison and Dennis Praet – whose performance against Newcastle on Monday was cut short after just 17 minutes.
Summary
Is there a better way than concluding 2022 with a victory?
The next challenge is on the horizon for Brendan Rodgers. Having been exposed by an in-form Newcastle United side, they would do with notching up one point from Anfield. Given their injury crisis, it will be a big ask.
Liverpool should have the edge and emerge victorious with the home advantage, recent on and off the field proceedings.
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