Liverpool vs Leicester City: predicted starting XI
By Will Kennedy
Probable Leicester City formation, goalkeeper, defenders
With the Foxes not expected to have the majority of the possession or territory, Brendan Rodgers might be tempted to draft Caglar Soyuncu in for the injured Dennis Praet and switch to either a back three, or even a back five. Against Manchester City, a back three held the Champions out in open play, so Rodgers is prepared to shift his formation.
Against Liverpool however, I expect Rodgers to use his trusted 4-2-3-1 and adjust accordingly in the game if he needs to. It’s a system that brought a lot of success prior to the World Cup, and the manager will be hoping for similar results.
In-between the sticks I don’t expect anyone other than Danny Ward to play. The Welsh international will be facing his former club and manager for the first time in the Premier League – Ward failed to make a league start for Liverpool during his time there. Ward’s passing will be crucial to getting a result, he can’t afford any more missed kicks or sloppiness that he showed against Newcastle.
Leicester’s defence has been hit hardest by injuries, leaving Rodgers with very little choice even if he were to change things. I’m anticipating an unchanged back four of Timothy Castagne, Daniel Amartey, Wout Faes, and Luke Thomas. Faes in particular needs to sharpen back up and rediscover his previous form, the Belgian endured a torrid time on Boxing Day.
Luke Thomas, already admitted as to being a rotational choice rather than a week-in week-out starter by his manager, will need some extra protection from his colleagues as he faces a very dangerous task in defending against Nunez.
Jonny Evans isn’t expected to be back until the New Year, whilst the fixture is still far too early for Ricardo Pereira.