Liverpool return from the FIFA Club World Cup as the champions of world football and are likely to get a reality check on Boxing Day when they face a trip to the King Power Stadium.
Leicester City come off the back of having lost to Manchester City on Saturday, allowing the third-placed side to move within a point of them. Brendan Rodgers will not want to let his second-place standing slip when his former side visits. This will perhaps be his best opportunity to defeat his former side as they are currently vulnerable after sustaining a series of injuries.
Currently, the Reds have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Georginio Wijnaldum and Fabinho missing in midfield. While there are further problems at the back with Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Nathaniel Clyne all out of action. The Club World Cup has created additional issues for Jurgen Klopp, whose squad is now incredibly thin on the ground. Therefore, Leicester City are in the perfect position to take advantage of the Reds’ situation and inflict their first defeat of the season.
So far only Manchester United have come close to defeating Liverpool this season when they drew 1-1 earlier in October. But Leicester City are well equipped to do battle with the Premier League leaders with the adaptable style of football they play, especially considering Jordan Henderson may be deputising in defence as he was forced to in the Club World Cup. It is hard to imagine the Liverpool captain being able to live with Jamie Vardy; the Premier League’s top scorer on 17 goals.
Vardy has averaged a goal every 95 minutes this campaign, and if he can run Henderson raged, he will get opportunities to add to that total. Even if Virgil Van Dijk keeps the in-form Leicester City talisman at bay, the Dutch international will have his hands full and other Foxes players can capitalise of Henderson’s lack of defensive experience.
It will be a fascinating Boxing day battle when first meet second, but with the league leaders squad diminished to the bare bones, their lead at the top of the table could well be reduced if the Foxes can pounce at the opportunity.
