Liverpool continue their chase for a second Premier League title as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds welcome Leicester City to Anfield.
Victory would see Liverpool reduce their deficit to league leaders – Manchester City back down to nine points, whereas Leicester will regain tenth with a win.
Team News
Mohamed Salah is in contention to start for Liverpool following his return from international duty for Egypt at 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, whilst Senegal’s Sadio Mane is yet to return to Liverpool following his nation’s victorious campaign.
Luiz Diaz, Divock Origi (both knee), Jordan Henderson (back), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez (both illness) are also set to be available for selection.
Leicester could welcome Nampalys Mendy back into contention following his return from international duty at 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ryan Bertrand (knee), Wesley Fofana (leg), Jonny Evans, Timothy Castagne and Jamie Vardy (all thigh) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool have lost two of their last five league meetings against Leicester (W3, L2).
- Leicester have claimed just one point from their last five league trips to Anfield (D1, L4).
- Liverpool’s Diogo Jota has scored in each of his two home appearances against Leicester at Anfield.
- Mohamed Salah has fired 38 of his 80 shots onto target in the Premier League this season.
- Wilfred Ndidi has collected more yellow cards than any other Leicester player in all competitions this season, having been booked on six separate occasions.
Prediction
Having coped fine without Salah’s presence in recent weeks which was evident in their dominantly clinical yet frustrating FA Cup win over Cardiff, I am expecting Liverpool to come out fighting on the front foot but at another level now Salah is back.
Leicester meanwhile were simply a shambolic mess in their FA Cup exit at Nottingham Forest with awful defending and toothless attacking, which is the last thing they needed coming into this match but they can take heart from their win over the Reds at end of December and fight here.
I however can see just one result coming because this away team look in serious need of repair and lacking confidence defensively, whereas Liverpool are in top form so this could well be an one-sided match despite the visitors nicking a goal.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Result: Liverpool 2-0 Leicester