A trip down Anfield way!

Liverpool V Leicester preview by Alex Merson

Leicester face one of the toughest tests in the Premier League this Friday, as they take on Liverpool at Anfield.

Both teams have somewhat underperformed this season, sitting lower than expected in the league and a win would be huge for either side’s campaign.

Before the World Cup, Liverpool struggled to pick up any momentum, losing to teams they were expected to beat, including a relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, and found themselves in 6^th spot. For Leicester, the break wasn’t a great thing, as despite a poor start that saw them sitting in the relegation zone, comfortable wins against Everton, West Ham and Wolves saw them climb their way into mid-table.

Travelling to Anfield is never an easy task, and for Leicester they need to be on their very best game to take anything away from the game, and most people would see this game being a comfortable win for Liverpool, as their dominant home form will play a huge factor.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been the key reason Liverpool have been one of the most dominant teams in Europe over the past 5 years, winning a league title and Champions League throughout his tenure. However, this season it has seemed like a different Liverpool team, losing a key attacker in Sadio Mane has seen main man Mo Salah struggle for goals, and the future is unclear for Klopp.

With the recent news of a takeover expected for Liverpool next season, it may cause things to change, and Klopp could be a part of that change.

For Brendan Rodgers, his career with Leicester looked to be all but over, however with a recent turnaround of form, there is a chance he may have kept his job. Fans are still uncertain that Rodgers is the man to lead the team this season and beyond, and with the lack of funds he has been given, the recent form may not be enough.

The main challenge will be overcoming Anfield’s electric fans, especially during an 8pm kick off. They are known for their Champions League atmosphere that hurts opposing players, and Friday night is expected to be the same scenario for Leicester. However, the Foxes away support is also one of the best in the league week in week out, so the battle will also be in the stands as well as on the pitch.

TEAM NEWS:

There is always a question of who Leicester’s number 9 will be going into games, both Daka and Vardy have shared the load, so it is unclear who Rodgers will go with. Maddison has been the key man so far this season and earned a call up to Gareth Southgate’s 26 man England squad for the World Cup, despite not playing a minute after starting the camp with an injury. 

Expected XI:

Ward, Thomas, Faes, Amartey, Castagne, Tielemans, Soumare, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison, Barnes, Daka