MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 17:44:49| >> :120:8198:8198:
[monks data]
Leicester logo
Premier League
Feb 2, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

2-0

Vardy (60', 72')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Leicester City vs. Liverpool

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Premier League clash between table toppers Leicester City and Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester City aim to continue their Premier League title charge when they take on inconsistent Liverpool at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Thirteen points separate the two clubs as Leicester take an unlikely position at the top of the table, while Liverpool reside seventh, eight points adrift of a Champions League spot.


Leicester City

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri celebrates his teams third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle and Leicester City at St James Park on November 21, 2015© Getty Images

Anyone would be forgiven for thinking that Claudio Ranieri's Leicester team would have filtered down the league table at this stage of the season, but it is not to be.

The Foxes have impressed everyone by maintaining a challenge for the title, joining big boys Arsenal and Manchester City in the battle for the crown.

Leicester have only lost twice in 23 league games, winning 13 and recording eight draws, and while their form this season is something to be admired, they have been helped along by the big teams such as Chelsea and Manchester United dropping points.

Ranieri's side are one of the very few teams who have been consistent in this league campaign as they went 10 games unbeaten and are currently on five games without suffering defeat.

The Italian boss has constantly claimed that his team are not in the title race, but he may have to change his tune as they have a three-point lead over second-placed Manchester City and the next few weeks could be crucial as they take on the two-time champions as well as Arsenal before the end of the month.

Leicester had gone through a spell where they struggled for goals, but they got back to scoring ways against Stoke City on January 23 when Danny Drinkwater, Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa struck in a 3-0 triumph at the King Power Stadium.

Demarai Gray and Daniel Amartey were the only signings to come through the door in the January transfer window, but given how well Leicester have been performing, Ranieri is likely to have been keen to avoid disrupting the team.

The Foxes suffered a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in this fixture at Anfield in December, but they will not feel disheartened as they have spent 43 days at the summit of the league.

In addition, they have had 18 attempts on goal from counter-attacks, which is more than other top-flight team this season and star player Riyad Mahrez has been involved in more goals than any other Premier League player so far this season - 13 goals and eight assists.

Recent form: DDWDW
Recent form (all competitions): DWDLW


Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp watches on during the game between West Ham and Liverpool on January 2, 2016© Getty Images

Inconsistency has been Liverpool's main problem this season, but in a way, that was expected when new manager Jurgen Klopp came through the Anfield gates to replace Brendan Rodgers in October.

The German coach is yet to find his best team and is likely to spend in the summer in order to get the squad that he wants and a full pre-season to prepare them for a jam-packed schedule that he is only just coming to terms with.

It was a quiet January transfer window for the Reds as only two signings were made - Steven Caulker on loan from Queens Park Rangers and Marko Grujic, who was immediately sent back to Red Star Belgrade on loan.

Alex Teixeira was heavily linked with the club and reports claimed that Liverpool tabled bids of £25m and £28m for the Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker, but the Ukrainian outfit refused to sell.

Liverpool have not signed new players that can help them push for a Champions League spot, and given the lack of consistency and lengthy injury list, the Merseyside outfit have an uphill struggle to close down the eight-point gap between themselves and fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Klopp has overseen just one victory in their last four league games and that was a dramatic 5-4 win over Norwich City, which was riddled with defensive errors.

The Reds' manager has been openly shocked by the amount of games that England's top flight compete in every season, and two FA Cup replays have not helped matters for the North-West outfit.

The statistics are not great reading for Liverpool as they have allowed opponents to score with their first shot on target in all four of their league games in 2016.

Despite already sealing a slender win over Leicester at Anfield in December, the Reds face a tough task at the King Power on Tuesday evening.

Recent form: WLDLW
Recent form (all competitions): LWWWD


Team News

Jordan Henderson of Liverpool FC passes the ball during the international friendly match between Adelaide United and Liverpool FC at Adelaide Oval on July 20, 2015© Getty Images

Ranieri has the luxury of an almost fully-fit squad to select from, and he is hopeful that Jeff Schlupp will have recovered from a hamstring injury in time to play.

For Liverpool, Klopp confirmed to the press on Monday that long-term absentees Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Martin Skrtel and Philippe Coutinho will return to training this week, but Tuesday's game is too soon for the quartet.

Captain Jordan Henderson, though, will return to the squad after he was left out of the team that recorded a goalless stalemate against West Ham United in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the weekend.

The midfielder has been struggling with a heel problem, but could start against the league leaders tomorrow night, as Klopp is expected to ring the changes after making 10 alterations to the team for Saturday's match against the Hammers.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kanté, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Clyne, Sakho, Lovren, Moreno; Henderson, Can, Lucas; Milner, Firmino, Lallana


Head To Head

As mentioned, Liverpool have the edge over Leicester this season as Christian Benteke scored the only goal in their Premier League meeting at Anfield in December.

Overall, in the 19 games between these two sides in the league, Liverpool have a better win record as they have nine compared to Leicester's five.

On five occasions, nothing has been able to separate the two clubs.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leicester City 2-1 Liverpool

Leicester have the fortress of the King Power Stadium behind them as they seek revenge over Liverpool. They have some huge games coming up and those results could have a major effect on their Premier League title chances, but they will feel that they can get something from their opponents, who have struggled for consistency. At the moment it is difficult to judge what Liverpool side will turn up and given the number of defensive errors that they have been committing of late, Leicester could edge to victory.



ID:265510: cacheID:265510:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:12363:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp holds the drinks bottles as he stands on the touchline during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on December 2
Read Next:
Klopp not expecting deadline-day arrivals
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!