Expected Leicester City starting XI for Anfield trip Vs Liverpool

Liverpool entertain Leicester City in a Premier League contest on Wednesday evening at Anfield. Here is Foxes of Leicester’s guess at the Foxes XI:

Indeed, it’s been said recently that predicting Leicester City’s starting lineup is a particularly difficult thing to do; yet most easy things are not worth achieving, so here goes!

Firstly let’s conduct our ‘investigation’ – oh yes – by gathering up all information available; Claude Puel gave a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, here are the salient facts:

"“Harry [Maguire] is match fit. He will be present.‘No other injuries, just Amartey continues his improvement. He is in a good way.”(Via: lcfc.com)"

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Leicester City form and personnel

The three previous Leicester City Premier League fixtures saw four changes to the beginning Blue Army team over those games. Matches came firstly with a 1-0 triumph against Everton; then falling 2-1 to Southampton at the King Power Stadium; finally came a 4-3 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

One major absentee in the latest defeat was Hamza Choudhury. Leicester’s starlet was a revelation in midfield when playing in wins over Manchester City twice, Chelsea and Everton. In fact, the latter two fixtures are of a similar standard to the Reds game this evening – therefore we believe the 21-year-old deserves a start.

Expected Leicester starting XI

It’s likely for the Frenchman to go with a 4-3-3 formation, in order to play three-defensive central midfielders; lining up thusly:

Kasper Schmeichel; Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire, Wes Morgan (c), Danny Simpson; Hamza Choudhury, Wilfred Ndidi, Papy Mendy; James Maddison, Ricardo Pereira; Jamie Vardy.

It would be a great shame to derail Harvey Barnes’s growth and place in the side, but it is likely Puel will aim to contain Liverpool in a more defensive style. Although it is a mistake to eradicate the best counter attacking players and invites the Merseysiders to advance at will.

Maddison must also not be wasted on the left-wing. Ricardo is a risk at right-back but can still add forward intensity. Consequently, FoL suggests this 4-2-3-1 side:

Schmeichel (c); Chilwell, Maguire, Evans, Ricardo; Choudhury, Ndidi; Maddison; Barnes, Marc Albrighton; Vardy.

Adding Albrighton’s industry and directness in the absence of some fantastic defenders of Jurgen Klopp – along with James Milner’s suspension – may be key factors in the Foxes stealing a point or even an unexpected win. Notice Maddison back in a No.10 role, but slightly deeper to address the creative deficiency currently experienced in midfield. Extracting Morgan and Simpson from starting is a stance deliberately taken, with all due respect.