Leicester vs Liverpool Preview

Who will take the points from the Kingpower Stadium in an interesting early season clash?

Chris Stonadge
Sep 1, 2018 · 2 min read

Claude Puel has been much maligned in his infantile Premiership career. People who are long-term readers of my work know of my soft spot for the Frenchman, as he has achieved two top half finishes and emerged trophyless in the 2017 Carabao Cup Final, dominated by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Now the main man at Leicester in a side pushing to maintain their top half finish, Puel is beginning to blueprint his path for the Foxes to attempt to break in to the unbreakable six at the top of the English hierarchy.

His next test is Jürgen Klopp’s flying Liverpool. With the additions of Alisson Becker and Naby Keïta in particular they look a real threat, scoring seven and conceding none in their first three matches.

The victory over West Ham United was somewhat excellent, with the Reds dismantling the Irons with class and aplomb. Crystal Palace and Brighton were just as impressive but in a different manner, portraying a characteristic not associated with Liverpool in recent years. Grit and solidity.

I think Leicester will go with a similar line up, maybe including Rachid Ghezzal, an Algerian talent brought in from Ligue 1 this summer. He scored his first goal for the Foxes in the midweek victory over Fleetwood, cutting inside and smashing the ball into the top left corner from a considerable distance.

Liverpool should go with an unchanged side with Gomez partnering towering Dutchman Virgil Van Dijk at the back. I do expect to see Xherdan Shaqiri off the bench for Liverpool to perhaps unlock any doors which the free-flowing front three fail to do.

My prediction for the match is Liverpool to win 2–1. Salah and Firmino will net for the Reds, with Iheanacho scoring a consolation for the home side.

Chris Stonadge

Written by

Aspiring Sports Journalist. For previous blogs, visit www.sportlowdown.blogspot.co.uk

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