Foxes of Leicester
Fansided

Leicester City vs Liverpool: Opposition watch

By Jack Mceachen

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates a goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield on December 26, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates a goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield on December 26, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
twitterredditfacebook

Leicester City travel to Liverpool in an attempt to bounce back from Boxing Day’s defeat to Watford.

The Foxes’ opponents have been in stellar form recently and come off the back of a 5-0 victory over Swansea City.

However, their well publicised defensive issues will provide hope for Claude Puel’s men, who have a plethora of attacking players ready to cause the hosts problems.

What to expect

Liverpool’s heavy metal style of football has been very well documented since Jurgen Klopp took the reins in October 2015.

The Reds play with a very fluid, flowing offensive scheme which profits their highly influential front four of Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

Related Story: Leicester City are a wonderful attacking team hails Liverpool boss Klopp

The Egyptian especially has benefited from this system and has a return of 15 goals this season already, only behind Harry Kane in the race for the golden boot.

However, with such an emphasis on beautiful football going forward, gaps do appear at the back and without elite defenders at the club, it is no surprise that keeping opponents at bay has been a problem for Klopp’s men.

Tactics

The German manager employs a 4-3-3 system that can also switch to a 4-4-2 shape depending on the personnel.

Klopp has made more changes to his starting side than any other top six manager, rotating heavily after coming under some criticism for his players suffering from muscle injuries and fatigue towards the end of last season.

Related Story: Arsenal back in for Riyad Mahrez

Mane was left on the bench against Swansea on Tuesday, while Coutinho and Firmino have started games on the bench, it might be time for Salah to be rested.

Despite the personnel, Saturday’s opposition will always be a threat going forward. The other end of the field is where the Foxes can hurt Liverpool.

Perhaps surprisingly, Liverpool have been pressing less than they were when Klopp first joined the club.

An interesting piece on Statsbomb  back in October showed that Liverpool’s pressing numbers have dropped dramatically this season, in what could be another attempt by Klopp to preserve his players for the crunch games at the end of the season.

Strengths

The undeniable pace, trickery and general genius of Liverpool’s front four is without a doubt their biggest strength.

On their day, Liverpool will tear apart the greatest of defences and Leicester will have to be on their game in order to keep the opposition at bay.

Liverpool have scored 46 goals in 20 Premier League games this season, more than any team that aren’t the champions-elect Manchester City.

Key matchups

Wilfred Ndidi against Coutinho could be the key to this game, as the Brazilian so often is the link between the midfield and front three.

Ndidi as Leicester’s key defensive midfielder will be tasked with the difficult job of keeping the in-form Coutinho at bay.

Next: Liverpool vs Leicester City: What happened last time?

Should Coutinho not be allowed time and space to find the players ahead of him, Leicester’s chances of coming away from Anfield with anything will be greatly improved.