Liverpool returned to Anfield as a double winner after Liverpool beat Manchester United in a contract battle with Dutch Footballer of the Year Cody Gakpo. In addition, a 3:1 success at Aston Villa saw the Reds win three in a row for the first time this year, but sixth after 15 games is uncharted territory for Jurgen Klopp. The last time when his team finished sixth after so many games was in 2016/16, his first official season. Klopp has stated that Liverpool now “should be a pain in the ass for everyone” and their record in December confirms this. What’s more, the Reds have only lost one game in December since 2016 and now have a chance to get rid of the psychological scars given their only loss last season to Leicester City. In the infirmary of the hosts are Arthur, Diaz, Diogo Jota, Firmino, Jones, Milner and Conate, who is on vacation after the 2022 World Cup.
Leicester have suffered nine defeats from 16 games this year, which is their worst start since returning in 2014/15. The latest of these was a crushing 3:0 home loss to Newcastle that forced manager Brendan Rodgers to admit that his team lacked “the right attitude”. Fans and management look anxiously into the relegation zone, while it is not yet clear how Leicestershire will be able to keep their representative in the Premier League. Nevertheless, the guests have five victories and two peaceful outcomes, which correspond to 17 points and 13th position. 25 goals scored can not but rejoice, while the team won three games in a row on the road, two of which managed to deal with West Ham (2:0) and Everton (2:0). Pret, Madison, Pereira, Justin, Evans and Bertrand, who has a knee injury, will not enter the field today.
