Liverpool vs Leicester: A new right-back and no Shaqiri? Predicting the XI
After being granted a small reprieve Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are preparing to face Leicester City at Anfield on Wednesday night. Here is the starting XI prediction.
Although they are a mid-table club, City are a truly formidable side and will not offer an easy path to victory. Their lines hold firm and the counterattack, marshalled by dynamic midfielder James Maddison, will pose a definite threat. Therefore, the Reds must remain alert and vigilant.
A thriller in Wolverhampton was an intriguing watch, especially when followed by Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Crystal Palace from two weekends ago. Both matches demonstrated exactly why the two clubs playing at Anfield on Wednesday night pose a great threat to one another.
A fully moored backline touts a left side of Ben Chilwell and Harry Maguire, both who deserve significant playing time for England. It is in no way similar to the knife through butter phenomena that many clubs outside the top six provide.
For instance, Bournemouth gave the slightest of resistances to Liverpool’s, and specifically Mo Salah’s, onslaught. Liverpool beat Leicester in late August 2-1. The one goal being a massive blunder by Allison, which other clubs supports relish in pointing out.
Despite the early 2-0 lead in that match, the Reds did not threaten much after conceding their first goal of the season. They were held in check in many regards.
Therefore, a strong lineup is necessary and should be obvious for Klopp, especially given the break. Here is the best way that he should arrange his players in order to secure these three points.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Alisson is the obvious choice, as always, because he is just simply stellar at his position. He can offer anything for the Reds this season, most of which was lacking last year.
His ball skills are impeccable, he is a supremely confident passer, and he just provides a presence at the back that allows the rest of the squad to do their jobs more efficiently. Thus, one can argue he has absolutely been worth the hefty price tag that was attached to him.
This brings up the well-remembered mistake by the Brazilian that lead to the first goal conceded this season. The only other occurrence such as that this season was his mistake that lead to a Jesse Lingard goal against Manchester United.