Leicester vs Liverpool: Match preview, betting tips and predictions

Leicester vs Liverpool: Match preview, betting tips and predictions - Premier League Matchweek 24

 

Liverpool player, Minamino tries to outwit Burnley's Erik Pieters in their duel at Anfield. Burley won 1-0. (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Liverpool vs Leicester

King Power Stadium

1:30pm

 Liverpool are in no man’s land, an unfamiliar terrain at least with respect to the last four years, their dominance is being eroded by the rude wave of harsh premier league reality, and it’s time to respond.

The emphatic loss to Manchester City at Anfield, the first of such since Pep Guardiola joined the premier league opened many eyes on the frailties at Liverpool.

It is clear and obvious, like a VAR situation, Liverpool aren’t a title contender anymore, their title defense has ended and they can’t even boast of a great fight to shield what is theirs.

 Leicester City were forced to a goalless draw the last time out at the Molineux robbed them of a huge chance to take advantage of rivals’ slip up but they have a chance to prove that they belong to the mix with this fixture of extraordinary significance.

Since Leicester’s shock title-winning season, they have struggled to get points against the Kops, it’s been close, sometimes down to referee decisions and the failures of VAR but they haven’t seen the back of their visitors in a very long time and it’s something they will likely to work on.

The pandemic certainly has more than financial implications on premier league sides, home advantage has been eroded with stadiums empty and this is a big negative on smaller sides that rely on the vociferous fans on home match days.

 Leicester will be in the market in the summer for a proven striker.

Jamie Vardy is nearing the end of his amazing Leicester career and the likes of Ayoze Perez and Kelechi Iheanacho have both proven to be a long way off the standards of the former England striker.

For Liverpool, it’s important for them to prove that they’re not a spent force, they can’t continue to blame injuries.

They had the chance to reinforce defensively in the just concluded window, they did some businesses but still prefer to play Jordan Henderson in the heart of the defense, that’s on them.

 Ben Davies and Kabak joined but aren’t getting minutes yet, the return of Fabinho was a big boost although the City game came too soon for his match fitness, he should be able to help against the Foxes on Saturday in the early kickoff but his best position will always be in the midfield.

This would be a very tight game considering the fact that both sides need the game, the Kops need to at least cement their place in the top four, and then try to launch another winning streak to see if they can catch the Citizens.

But ten points with a game in hand is too much an advantage to hand over to Pep Guardiola’s side.

 James Madison was underwhelming against Wolves, he has to up his game here as he’s the major source of creativity.

Defensive discipline is also important for the Foxes but the loss of James Justin will give Brendan Rodgers huge headache.

 Youri Tielemans up against “idea man”, Thiago Alcantara, it would be great to see.

Verdict: Liverpool to win or draw