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Anfield has been a fortress this term and despite the relative lack of clean sheets recently, we’ve still won 10 of 11 unbeaten games there this season as only title rivals Man City could prevent us from taking all three points. However, having conceded as many hosting Palace as we had in the previous 15 there combined, stretching back to the beginning of March, Jurgen Klopp must showcase the pragmatism that has defined our title bid to date in order to take care of the Foxes.
Defensive concerns
There’s been quite a bit of chopping and changing at the back recently, and though Klopp couldn’t have foreseen Joe Gomez fracturing his leg just two days after allowing Nathaniel Clyne to depart for Bournemouth on loan, the decision now looks rash with Alexander Trent-Arnold joining him on the sidelines. Meanwhile, the suspension of James Milner necessitates the swift return to the side of Fabinho, who went off with a hamstring problem late on against the Eagles. The alternative is for Klopp to utilize 18-year-old winger Rafael Camacho in the role, meaning whoever Claude Puel choses to deploy on the left-hand side of his attack will fancy their chances in this clash. Meanwhile, the latest on Virgil van Dijk leaves us apprehensive as if he can’t overcome illness in time, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip will be partnered at the back, and they only appear like truly class defenders when the composed Dutchman is there to guide them through proceedings.
Leicester’s improved output
The Foxes haven’t been overly prolific this term, perhaps unsurprisingly given Jamie Vardy has only managed seven goals in the current campaign, though the former England striker has a fantastic record against ‘Big Six’ sides and especially when facing our boys. Since the start of 2016/17, he’s bagged 20 goals in 30 starts against such teams across all competitions, while against ourselves alone he has seven strikes in five outings since February 2016 as he found the net in each. Meanwhile, Leicester have improved their output generally over the past month and a bit as they’ve found the net in seven of their last eight across all competitions, including both tussles with Man City in this time.
Jamie Vardy to score anytime at 4.4!
Expect goals
This has been a full-throttle affair in recent times as all five league meetings since 2016/17 have seen both teams score, while each saw a minimum of three goals as three of them featured four or more. However, our home form should see us through and indeed, we’ve emerged victorious despite conceding in both of those head-to-head encounters at Anfield, as well as in each of the last three across all venues.
Liverpool and both to score at 2.7!
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by Joel
