The Reds are gearing up for his or her first home cup recreation of the season as Liverpool put together to face Leicester within the League Cup – however can they lastly win in 90 minutes at Anfield?
Liverpool vs. Leicester Metropolis
League Cup (Third Spherical) | Anfield
September 27, 2023 | 7.45pm (BST)
Once they have been relegated final season, Liverpool thought they’d have a Leicester-free 12 months this season.
Alas, the Reds have drawn the Foxes on the first time of asking within the League Cup. It does current a great alternative for development in opposition to the Championship aspect, although.
Right here’s every thing it’s good to know forward of Liverpool vs. Leicester.
1. “Too quickly” for Trent
Trent Alexander-Arnold has missed the final three video games with a hamstring harm and the go to of Leicester has come “too quickly,” assistant supervisor Pep Lijnders confirmed.
The proper-back, fortunately, was again in components of coaching on Monday together with his teammates, however Saturday’s journey to Tottenham is the match that’s anticipated to herald his return.
Thiago, in the meantime, is in “a great way” however he has but to make a full coaching return as his particular person rehabilitation continues following hip surgical procedure on the back-end of final season.
There have been no different accidents to report, however Lijnders did verify that “adjustments” will likely be made to the lineup.
2. Straight to penalties, if wanted
With no additional time till the semi-final stage, each League Cup match that’s stage after the ultimate whistle will go on to a penalty shootout.
The Reds have gained their final 4 penalty shootouts, and that features one in opposition to the Foxes again in 2021 – Jurgen Klopp‘s males gained each home cups from the spot in 2021/22.
Unsure our nerves must be put to the check this early, although!
3. What number of adjustments?
You sense Liverpool’s lineup could possibly be a predictable one once we contemplate how Klopp rotated for the primary Europa League conflict, with a not too dissimilar XI possible.
From Sunday’s league match, 11 adjustments wouldn’t come as a shock as Lijnders acknowledged on the eve of the conflict that “we have to make adjustments, it’s a given in a interval like this.”
Stefan Bajcetic is in line for one more berth at right-back, although this not the place his future lies, whereas Ben Doak is about to get one other alternative, this time alongside Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo.
Predicted Reds XI: Kelleher; Bajcetic, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Gravenberch; Doak, Jota, Gakpo
4. Man Metropolis chase the document
All through its numerous iterations, Liverpool have loved the League Cup; the Reds have gained the competitors 9 instances – greater than anybody else.
Man Metropolis are actually shut behind, although, with 5 successes in six makes an attempt between 2016 and 2021 taking their total tally to eight.
This season, Virgil van Dijk will likely be hoping to elevate the trophy for a second time and prolong the membership document. Ought to he do it, it might be his first trophy – hopefully, of many – as Liverpool captain.
5. Life within the Championship
Italian supervisor Enzo Maresca took over from Dean Smith in the summertime and has gained 9 of his first 10 video games at Leicester.
The Foxes are anticipated to return straight again as much as the highest flight, however the Championship is notoriously unpredictable. They’re, although, presently prime of the desk and Jamie Vardy continues to be scoring objectives – three in 9 thus far this season.
The final spherical additionally noticed them journey to Merseyside, beating Tranmere 2-0 after knocking Burton Albion out by the identical scoreline within the first spherical.
Attainable Leicester XI: Stolarczyk; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin; Casadei, Ndidi, Winks; Akgun, Iheanacho, Mavididi
6. No VAR
There will likely be no VAR for this one.
Tim Robinson takes cost of a Liverpool recreation for the primary time as referee, having acted as fourth official on two earlier events for the Reds.
The official was promoted to the PGMOL’s Choose Group One in the summertime and has refereed two Premier League matches thus far this season.
Simon Bennett and Daniel Robathan are the assistant referees, whereas David Webb takes the fourth official function.
7. Not televised within the UK
The match isn’t on UK tv, with Sky Sports activities’ Wednesday decide being Newcastle vs. Man Metropolis.
Fortunately, you’ll be able to nonetheless maintain updated with every thing that’s happening with This Is Anfield.
Adam Beattie will likely be operating the matchday reside blof and there would be the typical build-up and response to occasions at Anfield.
8. Final time we met Leicester…
Liverpool didn’t take pleasure in a succesful season final time round, however they nonetheless did the double over Leicester.
Most lately, they beat Dean Smith’s Foxes 3-0 on the King Energy Stadium in Could. It was a recreation that may primarily be remembered as an illustration of Scouse energy.
Curtis Jones put Liverpool two forward within the first half earlier than a shocking free-kick, from Trent Alexander-Arnold, sealed the sport with 20 minutes left to play.
That match was a part of the 18-game unbeaten run Liverpool are presently on.
9. A stunning statistic
Liverpool haven’t gained a League Cup tie in regular time at Anfield within the final seven matches – a loopy statistic given the Reds gained the competitors in 2022.
That final time was in opposition to Leeds in 2016, when Ben Woodburn grew to become the membership’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
On the brilliant aspect, Liverpool have failed to attain in solely two of the final 29 house encounters in all competitions in opposition to Leicester.
Vardy could possibly be the opposition’s hazard man. He has a great document in opposition to Liverpool, scoring 10 objectives in his 17 appearances in opposition to the Reds in all competitions.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Leicester will not be reside on tv within the UK, however you’ll be able to keep updated This Is Anfield and test in with our worldwide TV information previous to kick-off.
TIA’s matchday reside weblog will likely be up and operating from 7pm, with Adam Beattie tasked with retaining you entertained and up-to-date.
The match kicks off at 7.45pm (BST).
Come on you Reds!
