Liverpool are again at house on Boxing Day and large favourites as they host a struggling Leicester staff within the Premier League.
Liverpool vs. Leicester
Premier League (17) | Anfield
December 26, 2024 | 8pm (GMT)
There was no ‘new-manager bounce’ for Leicester who’ve been dragged right into a critical relegation battle after the weekend’s outcomes.
Coming off the again of a dominant 6-3 win at Tottenham, Liverpool are primed to capitalise on the Foxes’ low confidence – although they have to maintain the again door shut as they put Leicester beneath stress.
In the end, Liverpool ought to be too robust with a crowd behind them who may have already loved a full day of merriment – this ought to be a great night time at Anfield.
1. High at Christmas
The Premier League desk actually seems to be a reasonably sight for Liverpool supporters this Christmas.
Due to Everton‘s draw in opposition to Chelsea, the Reds prolonged their result in 4 factors with a sport in hand over the Londoners, whereas Arsenal sit one other two factors additional again.
Liverpool have been additionally prime at Christmas by 4 factors in 2018 and 2020 however didn’t win the league on both event.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect don’t play till 8.15pm on December 27, after they host Ipswich in what ought to be a chance for 3 comparatively easy factors.
The day earlier than, Chelsea have a west London derby at Stamford Bridge, as they face Fulham who’ve taken factors off Liverpool and Arsenal already this season.
2. Boxing Day file
After three away journeys, this would be the first time Liverpool have performed at Anfield on Boxing Day since 2018.
Below Jurgen Klopp, the Reds developed a behavior of bringing late items on St Stephen’s Day, profitable all six December 26 fixtures in the course of the German’s time on the membership.
Their final three outings on Boxing Day have come away from house, wins at Leicester, Aston Villa and Burnley offering festive pleasure for travelling supporters.
Throughout Liverpool’s historical past, they’ve performed 92 instances on December 26, profitable 45, drawing 24 and dropping 23.
3. Crew information
Liverpool have a comparatively wholesome squad going into Thursday’s match, with Conor Bradley (hamstring) and Ibrahima Konate (knee) the one gamers positively lacking.
It’s hoped the pair will return in January. The identical could be stated for Leicester‘s Wilfred Ndidi who has missed their final two league matches with a thigh downside.
Leicester are additionally with out first-choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, right-back Ricardo Pereira and winger Issahaku Fatawu, whereas Ruud van Nistelrooy revealed on Tuesday that Jamie Vardy can also be a doubt.
Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward was booed by his personal followers in the course of the 3-0 loss to Wolves and Van Nistelrooy might decide to recall the fit-again Jakub Stolarczyk.
4. Lineup prediction
The massive questions for Slot lie up entrance and in midfield as he should determine whether or not to relaxation a few gamers in opposition to Leicester or West Ham.
With the sport being at house, Curtis Jones might be a great possibility in midfield to unlock a aspect that could be intent on retaining issues tight for so long as potential.
Diogo Jota may also be hoping to start out for the primary time since Liverpool’s 2-1 win in opposition to Chelsea on October 20.
Nevertheless, with a four-day hole between the Tottenham sport and this match, Slot is more likely to follow the identical aspect that scored six.
Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk; Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
5. Leicester are leaking targets
In late November, Leicester determined to sack Steve Cooper after simply 5 months in cost. Van Nistelrooy was the person taken on to exchange him, however issues haven’t actually improved.
Throughout the final 5 matches, they’ve conceded 14 targets together with three in opposition to relegation-threatened Wolves on Sunday.
This season, they’ve gained three, drawn 5 and misplaced 9 league matches, leaving them two factors above the drop zone.
Van Nistelrooy stated after their most up-to-date loss: “That is going to be a future this season and each sport that we’re going to play is a brand new one.”
Hopefully Liverpool make it a really lengthy Boxing night time for the guests.
6. “Why we play at Christmas time”
After all, we don’t need Liverpool to drop factors, however the packed festive schedule does present pleasure and arguably higher probabilities for the league’s excessive flyers to slide up.
That occurred for Chelsea on the weekend and Slot defined why it’s a part of the Premier League‘s attract.
On Sunday, the Dutchman stated: “That’s the Premier League. I didn’t count on Chelsea to drop factors in the present day as nicely, so it could possibly occur in each sport and that’s what makes this league so particular.
“That’s why so many individuals need to see it and that’s why we play at Christmas time.”
7. 4 vulnerable to suspension
Whereas Liverpool don’t have too many damage worries in the intervening time, they’re vulnerable to dropping gamers via suspension.
Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Darwin Nunez have all obtained 4 Premier League yellow playing cards this season, that means they’re only one reserving away from lacking a match.
Ibrahima Konate is in the identical boat however, in fact, gained’t determine in opposition to Leicester as a result of damage.
Ought to any of those gamers choose up a yellow on Thursday, they’d miss the Reds’ subsequent journey to West Ham.
8. Who’s the referee?
Darren Bond is the referee for Liverpool vs. Leicester within the Premier League, whereas Scott Ledger and Matthew Wilkes are his assistants at Anfield.
That is simply the second time Bond has taken cost of the Reds, the earlier event being their 3-2 win in opposition to Brighton within the League Cup earlier this season.
The extra acquainted face of Chris Kavanagh will act as video assistant referee, with Craig Taylor the assistant VAR.
9. Do you know?
Solely as soon as earlier than have Liverpool kicked off at 8pm on Boxing Day. That got here in 2019 when Klopp’s aspect gained 4-0 at Leicester and went on to win the Premier League title.
The Reds have scored at the very least twice in 9 of their final 10 house league matches.
Ought to Virgil van Dijk rating, he’ll change into the fifteenth participant in Liverpool’s historical past to attain for the membership on all seven days of the week.
Liverpool are prime of the desk at Christmas for the twenty first time of their historical past, probably the most of any English staff ever.
10. Observe the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Leicester is dwell on Amazon Prime Video with kickoff at 8pm (GMT).
TIA’s matchday dwell weblog will probably be up and working from 7.15pm, with Harry McMullen tasked with retaining you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!
