Liverpool’s season continues as they welcome Leicester City to Anfield for the EFL Cup 3rd round fixture. The last time these teams faced each other in the competition was in the 2021-22 season which was an absolute classic but needless to say both teams have changed a lot in the past 2 years. The Foxes had to fight off challenges from Burton Albion and Tranmere Rovers to get to the third round of the competition.
Klopp will look to continue the run of great form this season as Liverpool will look to pick up an easy victory over a team that is currently in the Championship. Leicester City under new manager Enzo Maresca are looking superb in the Championship. Despite losing great players like James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, the Foxes are currently at the top of the Championship and can give some Premier League teams a run for their money.
When, Where and Who will officiate?
The match will take place at Anfield on Thursday at 12:45 AM IST. Referee Tim Robinson will be in charge, with no one for VAR duty as it will not be available for this match.
Team News
Trent Alexander Arnold did not feature in their last Premier League match against West Ham and Klopp will probably give his right back some minutes off the bench before he features in the big match on the weekend against Tottenham. Thiago is still out with an injury but Stefan Bajcetic is fully fit and is likely to feature in the match.
Leicester will not be having the services of Dennis Praet and Tom Cannon with both being out with back injuries while left-back Callum Doyle suffered a knee injury in the last match. Former Reds product Conor Coady can make an appearance though. Hamza Choudhury is also out of the match with an injury.
Match Analysis and Key Players
Liverpool will start in their usual 4-3-3 formation with a repeat of deploying Stefan Bajcetic on the right back position. Ryan Gravenberch who was extremely impressive against LASK in the Europa League will also start with Japanese captain Wataru Endo. The way Darwin Nunez is playing Jurgen Klopp might not give him a break but the new midfield duo of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai will be on the bench. Cody Gakpo is yet to impress this season out of all the Liverpool forwards and the match against the Foxes might just be the perfect start to his season.
On the other hand, Dewsbury Hall seems to be turning back the clock as he has been in great form so far after providing 3 assists in the Championship. Jamie Vardy might still have a party as he scored in the last EFL fixture against Tranmere and the forward also has a great scoring record against the Reds. New signing Harry Winks can also cause some trouble for the rather young and inexperienced midfield Liverpool might play on the day. Cesare Casadei and Kelechi Iheanacho might also make an appearance in the match against Liverpool.
Though Leicester City are in great form so far this season, Liverpool are back in their groove and an upset doesn’t seem likely with the Reds playing the fixture at home. Liverpool have also extended their unbeaten run to 18 games after the win against West Ham as the 9-time champions will look to make it 10 this season.
Predicted Lineup
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Leicester City: Kelleher, Bajcetic, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Elliot, Gravenberch, Jota, Gakpo, Doak.
Leicester City predicted lineup vs Liverpool: Stolarczyk, Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin, Casadei, Ndidi, Winks, Akgun, Iheanacho, Mavididi.
