LEICESTER VS LIVERPOOL: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool travel to the King Power to take on Leicester City in the Premier League. The Reds have had valuable time off after their Boxing Day fixture vs Leeds was postponed. Leicester on the other hand got a 6-3 hammering at the hands of Manchester City on Boxing Day.

We take a look at how Jürgen Klopp could line up his team for the encounter. You can read our preview of the game here:

https://made4liverpool.com/2021/12/26/liverpool-vs-leicester-preview-2/

With the quartet of Van Dijk, Fabinho, Jones and Thiago all returning to training after a Covid-related abscence, it’s a strong squad available to Jürgen Klopp. They currently lie 6 points behind Manchester City but with a game in hand. It is sure to be a strong side that is put out.

In goal, Alisson Becker should return after getting the night off last Wednesday. Trent Alexander-Arnold should also return after similarly getting time off. At centre back, Joel Matip will partner the returning Virgil Van Dijk.

Ibou Konaté has been immense the past couple of games and can count himself unlucky to miss out. He’ll get more games though, with the fixtures remaining unrelenting. At left back, Andy Robertson continues to serve his suspension so Kostas Tsimikas will get another start.

The Greek was given a breather late on against Leicester so should be fine to go again here. With Robertson being suspended for that Chelsea clash too, Kostas will need to keep impressing like he’s done all season.

In midfield, Fabinho should mark a return to the side. The team has been way too open without him and the hope is that he’ll tighten things up in the middle of the pitch. To the right of the Brazilian will be the skipper Jordan Henderson. He played an hour on Wednesday night after a bout of illness ruled him out vs Spurs.

On the left of the midfield three is a bit tougher to predict. With Thiago only returning to training yesterday, he may not be deemed ready to start. It’s then a toss up between James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, with Curtis Jones unlikely to make his first start in months here.

Milner offers leadership and experience in Henderson’s abscence, but with the skipper expected to start, Milner could be handed a role off the bench to help see out the game late on if need be. It then comes down to a straight pick between Ox and Naby who were both excellent in the Carabao Cup win.

They both offer different characteristics, with Keita’s pressing and dribbling ability being countered by Ox’s burst of pace and shooting ability. Naby ran rings around Maddison when he came on on Wednesday, and for that, we expect him to get the nod.

Upfront, Roberto Firmino made his first start in months last time out. He’s likely to make do with a place on the bench here though, with the in form Diogo Jota taking his place in the lineup. Jota will be flanked by the duo of Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah who have quietly had 10 days off.

Takumi Minamino will also provide further options off the bench. The Japanese international netted a late equaliser in the cup win and will be needed in the coming month when Sadio and Mo depart for AFCON.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Jota, Mané.

Subs: Kelleher, Williams, Konaté, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago, Jones, Minamino, Firmino.