Liverpool vs Leicester City preview, predictions & possible XIs

Leicester City will be the latest side to challenge Liverpool’s 100 per cent start to the Premier League season when they travel to Anfield on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had to overcome a serious Champions League scare on Wednesday, throwing away a three-goal lead before eventually prevailing as 4-3 winners against RB Salzburg.
https://audioboom.com/posts/7383312-alisson-is-the-golden-middle-of-the-goalkeeper-venn-diagram
In the Premier League, though, they’ve swept away everything in their path and sit five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.
They face a Leicester side in strong form – sitting third on 14 points after their 5-0 demolition of Newcastle United last week – and eager to prove themselves, with Brendan Rodgers returning to Anfield for the first time since his Liverpool sacking in 2015.
Can the Foxes halt Liverpool’s title charge? Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Liverpool v Leicester City and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Anfield
Date: Saturday, 5 October 2019
Kick-off: 3 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Liverpool v Leicester City
30 Jan 2019: Liverpool 1-1 Leicester City (Premier League)
01 Sep 2018: Leicester City 1-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
30 Dec 2017: Liverpool 2-1 Leicester City (Premier League)
23 Sep 2017: Leicester City 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
19 Sep 2017: Leicester City 2-0 Liverpool (League Cup)
Aggregate Score: Liverpool (DWWWL) 8-7 Leicester City (DLLLW)
Ones to watch
Liverpool: Fabinho
Fabinho really has come into his own during the early stages of this season, cementing himself as one of the finest holding midfielders in the Premier League right now.
The Brazilian has an innate ability to sniff out danger, suffocate opposition counter-attacks and dominate the ball in the middle for Klopp, keeping the Reds dominant in midfield and providing a great platform for those ahead of him.
It’s this dominance that Liverpool will need if they are to assert themselves against a fearless and incredibly mobile Leicester City side.
Key stat: Fabinho has made more tackles in the Premier League this season (17) than any other Liverpool player.
Leicester City: Ricardo Pereira
With the possible exception of Trent Alexander-Arnold, is there a more in-form right-back than Ricardo Pereira in the Premier League right now?
The Portuguese fits Rodgers’ game plan perfectly, ruthlessly driving forward to support the attack and showing no mercy in the tackle, winning the ball back with consummate ease.
The attacking instincts of Andy Robertson will leave spaces down Liverpool’s left flank and Ricardo is sure to have half an eye on exploiting that on the counter-attack whenever he can.
Key stat: Only Wilfried Zaha (70) has won more duels than Ricardo (69) in the Premier League this season.
Team news
Liverpool
Alisson is back in training but is unlikely to return to goalkeeping duties for Liverpool, while Nathanial Clyne remains a long-term absentee.
Xherdan Shaqiri will also sit this one out, while Joel Matip is also a doubt for Saturday.
Predicted XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
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Leicester City
James Maddison is still struggling with an ankle injury and is unlikely to feature but will be given every chance to prove his fitness by the Leicester physios.
Matty James is still out with a calf problem and is the Foxes’ only other absentee.
Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Ricardo, Söyüncü, Evans, Chilwell; Ndidi, Praet, Tielemans; Perez, Barnes, Vardy.
Squawka prediction
Liverpool have been ruthless in the Premier League this season but their Champions League struggles against Napoli and RB Salzburg show they do have their weaknesses.
Saturday’s match against Leicester might just be their toughest domestic test yet and although it’s hard to see the Foxes leaving Anfield with all three points, they might just become the first side to avoid defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League this season.
Scoreline prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Leicester City