Liverpool are again at residence 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 combat 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 need to hold the again door shut as they put Leicester beneath stress.
Finally, Liverpool needs to be too sturdy with a crowd behind them who can have already loved a full day of merriment – this needs to be a very good night time at Anfield.
1. High at Christmas
The Premier League desk actually appears to be like a fairly sight for Liverpool supporters this Christmas.
Because of Everton‘s draw towards Chelsea, the Reds prolonged their result in 4 factors with a recreation in hand over the Londoners, whereas Arsenal sit one other two factors additional again.
Liverpool had been additionally prime at Christmas by 4 factors in 2018 and 2020 however didn’t win the league on both event.
Mikel Arteta’s facet don’t play till 8.15pm on December 27, after they host Ipswich in what needs to be a possibility 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 report
After three away journeys, this would be the first time Liverpool have performed at Anfield on Boxing Day since 2018.
Underneath Jurgen Klopp, the Reds developed a behavior of bringing late items on St Stephen’s Day, successful all six December 26 fixtures throughout the German’s time on the membership.
Their final three outings on Boxing Day have come away from residence, 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, successful 45, drawing 24 and shedding 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 undoubtedly 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 drawback.
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 be a doubt.
Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward was booed by his personal followers throughout the 3-0 loss to Wolves and Van Nistelrooy might decide to recall the fit-again Jakub Stolarczyk.
4. Lineup prediction
The large questions for Slot lie up entrance and in midfield as he should determine whether or not to relaxation a few gamers towards Leicester or West Ham.
With the sport being at residence, Curtis Jones might be a very good possibility in midfield to unlock a facet which may be intent on protecting issues tight for so long as doable.
Diogo Jota can even be hoping to start out for the primary time since Liverpool’s 2-1 win towards Chelsea on October 20.
Nevertheless, with a four-day hole between the Tottenham recreation and this match, Slot is prone to follow the identical facet 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 interchange him, however issues haven’t actually improved.
Throughout the final 5 matches, they’ve conceded 14 targets together with three towards relegation-threatened Wolves on Sunday.
This season, they’ve received 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 long term this season and each recreation 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 properly, so it may possibly occur in each recreation and that’s what makes this league so particular.
“That’s why so many individuals wish to see it and that’s why we play at Christmas time.”
7. 4 liable to suspension
Whereas Liverpool don’t have too many harm worries in the mean time, they’re liable to shedding gamers by way of suspension.
Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Darwin Nunez have all acquired 4 Premier League yellow playing cards this season, which means they’re only one reserving away from lacking a match.
Ibrahima Konate is in the identical boat however, after all, received’t determine towards Leicester as a consequence of harm.
Ought to any of those gamers choose up a yellow on Thursday, they might 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 towards 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 facet received 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 residence league matches.
Ought to Virgil van Dijk rating, he’ll develop 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. Comply with the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Leicester is reside on Amazon Prime Video with kickoff at 8pm (GMT).
TIA’s matchday reside weblog can be up and working from 7.15pm, with Harry McMullen tasked with protecting you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!
