Premier League team news and prediction: Liverpool vs Leicester
Injury hit Liverpool round off the weekend's Premier League action when they host Leicester on Sunday night. Both sides are seeking to go back to the top of the table after Tottenham moved into first on the back of their 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday evening.
Ahead of tonight's clash on Merseyside, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including the match permutations, team news and predicted XIs.
When is kick off?
Sunday 22nd November, 19:15 GMT
Where is the match?
Anfield, Liverpool
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event
2020/21 So Far
In a potentially decisive clash in the race for the Premier League title, even at this early stage, just a point separates Liverpool and Leicester. The Reds have won five of their eight league matches this term, but in turn have won only two of their last five Premier League outings. That run included tough draws at neighbours Everton and title rivals Manchester City, both positive results in the grand scheme of 2020/21, but they'll look to avoid a potential upset at the hands of high-flying Leicester.
The Foxes have a tough task on their hands if they are to end their Anfield hoodoo having not come away from Merseyside with all three points since a 2-0 win back in 2000. However, Leicester recently ended their dire run at the Emirates with a 1-0 win at Arsenal, so are clearly in the mood for ending negative streaks. Brendan Rodgers has overseen four away wins this season, and his side are one of four teams yet to drop points on the road in 2020/21.
Team News
Liverpool have a lengthy injury list here, with their defence heavily impacted. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, three regular starters when fit, are sidelined, with captain Jordan Henderson also ruled out. Mohamed Salah tested positive for COVID-19 last week and misses out, but better news for Jurgen Klopp is that Thiago and Fabinho could both feature in some capacity. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhys Williams will also be assessed, with the latter a potential starter alongside Joel Matip at the back, though Jurgen Klopp may elect for Nathaniel Phillips at the heart of the defence.
For Leicester, Brendan Rodgers will hope to have Wesley Fofana fit to feature from the get go. The summer arrival from Saint-Etienne has been a pillar of consistency on the back of his capture, but is carrying a knee issue. Timothy Castagne, who hasn't featured since the win over Arsenal, is also expected to return for the Foxes. Daniel Amartey, Wilfred Ndidi, Caglar Soyuncu and Ricardo Pereira all remain sidedlined, but Leicester have fared fine in the quartet's absence.
Probable XIs
Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Williams, Phillips, Matip, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Milner; Jota, Firmino, Mane
Leicester (3421) - Schmeichel; Fofana, Evans, Fuchs; Castagne, Tielemans, Mendy, Justin; Maddison, Barnes; Vardy
Key Battle - Georgino Wijnaldum vs Youri Tielemans
With key midfielder Jordan Henderson ruled out, there is ample pressure on Georgino Wijnaldum to step up for Liverpool. The unsung hero in this Reds setup, the Dutchman has a penchant for showing up for the big occasion and with key absences at the back, Jurgen Klopp will need the 30-year-old to control proceedings in the middle of the park as Liverpool seek to move level on points with Tottenham at the top of the table. Wijnaldum was in good form over the international break, netting three times in wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland, which bodes well.
Wijnaldum wasn't the only midfielder to put in some solid goalscoring shifts on international duty, with Youri Tielemans hitting the back of the net in wins over England and Denmark as Belgium finished Group 2 in top spot. The 23-year-old has three goals to his name in the Premier League this season and now seemingly hitting his stride, Tielemans has the means to help end Liverpool's 63-match unbeaten streak at Anfield tonight.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Leicester
