Our picks

Liverpool vs Leicester City: 30/01/2019 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Liverpool vs Leicester City

Date: 30/01/2019

K/O: 20:00

Venue: Anfield

Referee: Martin Atkinson

TV: BT Sport One

It is going to be a frosty affair on Wednesday night as Liverpool welcome Leicester to their red-den, Anfield, in the hope of continuing their search for their first Premier League title.

There was a slight uproar this week as it was understood that Liverpool may have to play after their closest title challengers, Man City, for the remainder of the season yet after Tuesday nights events Liverpool fans may have toned their uproar down a little. On Tuesday night Manchester City slouched to a 2-1 defeat at St James’ Park, opening the door for Liverpool to take another stride towards their ultimate goal and possibly open the gap to seven points. Wednesday night’s game is therefore crucial as they play in front of their own fans against Claude Puel’s Leicester.

Guardiola was left wanting after a lacklustre Manchester City performance but Klopp’s men now need to pounce on this opportunity and grab it with open arms. If they want this title, and I mean really want it, they need to opine here with a statement of pure intent by winning this midweek fixture.

Leicester have already beaten Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool’s closest rivals Everton in recent weeks but the Reds have managed to topple the Foxes in their last three meetings. We all know what nights at Anfield can be like and I can’t see this one being any different. Klopp’s men are going to need to find a foothold early in the game which will settle any nerves. Although there is a long way to go, this is another huge opportunity.

Liverpool may find this tough, as Leicester have managed to score in 11 of their last 12 away matches and with the defensive frailties that are creeping into the Liverpool side, this is set to continue. Anfield has been a fortress but Crystal Palace showed last time out just how limited Liverpool’s backline has become.

Both sides come into this one off the back of 4-3 results. Unfortunately for Leicester, they were on the receiving end at Molineaux against Wolves after a last gasp winner saw their comeback quashed whilst Liverpool, although conceding late, managed to get over the line against Crystal Palace.

The last meeting between these two was back in August as Liverpool managed to win 2-1. The goal they conceded was THAT goal where Liverpool’s new goalkeeper made his first blunder but Leicester had Liverpool on the back foot for a lot of the afternoon as they registered more possession, more shots and more shots on target.



Opta Match Facts

Liverpool last won four consecutive matches against Leicester between 1987 and 1996.

Leicester have failed to win at Anfield since the year 2000, losing six and drawing one.

Liverpool are unbeaten in 32 Premier League home games, winning 23 and drawing nine.

Liverpool haven’t lost a midweek game in their last 19, winning 13 and drawing six since their last defeat to Fulham in 2012.

Liverpool conceded as many home goals against Crystal Palace last weekend as they had done in their last 15 home matches.

Leicester have lost their last 11 games taking on sides who sit top of the Premier League.

Leicester have conceded two or more goals in each of their last 11 games against Premier League leaders.

Liverpool have lost 11 of their 28 matches that occurred in January, winning ten and drawing seven.

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has scored in each of the last five meetings with Liverpool. Only Andy Cole (eleven) and Thierry Henry (eight) have managed more goals against Liverpool than Jamie Vardy (seven).

Team News

Liverpool: The good news for Jurgen Klopp this week is Dejan Lovren should be available after overcoming a hamstring injury. Virgil Van Dijk has also mostly recovered from illness as there were concerns he had missed a few training sessions towards the end of last week.

Fabinho limped off with a tight hamstring and Wednesday comes too soon for him as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold who is still recovering from a knee injury. Joe Gomez, Rhian Brewster and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out but stepping up their recoveries. James Milner is suspended for this one after he was sent off for two yellow cards in their last game.

Leicester: Mostly a clean bill of health for Puel’s side with Harry Maguire the only big question mark. Leicester are considerably weaker without him commanding the back line and with a late fitness test to come, it is not yet confirmed he will he fit after an injury sustained against Wolves last time out. Daniel Amartey is the only long-term absentee at this stage.



Predicted Starting XIs

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Fabinho, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson; Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane; Salah

Leicester (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Mendy, Ndidi; Pereira, Gray, Maddison; Vardy

Score Prediction: Liverpool 3 Leicester 1

A big scoreline for a big occasion. I can see Liverpool pushing on here and not taking their foot off the gas. It is a crucial game in this title race with the Reds already playing a lot of the bigger matches they can’t drop points here with Man Utd and Spurs still to come.

Are you interested in writing about Premier League football for 90MAAT? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Check out this link to find out more. 

George (Goliath Tipping)

George, 27, love betting on sports and writing about my beloved LFC!

90MAAT News Now

Premier League Table

90MAAT Social Media

ScoopDragon Football News Network

Search The Site