The Reds are gearing up for his or her first home cup sport of the season as Liverpool put together to face Leicester within the League Cup – however can they lastly win in 90 minutes at Anfield?
Liverpool vs. Leicester Metropolis
League Cup (Third Spherical) | AnfieldSeptember 27, 2023 | 7.45pm (BST)
After they had been relegated final season, Liverpool thought they’d have a Leicester-free yr this season.
Alas, the Reds have drawn the Foxes on the first time of asking within the League Cup. It does current a superb alternative for development in opposition to the Championship aspect, although.
Right here’s all the pieces you’ll want to know forward of Liverpool vs. Leicester.
1. “Too quickly” for Trent
Trent Alexander-Arnold has missed the final three video games with a hamstring harm and the go to of Leicester has come “too quickly,” assistant supervisor Pep Lijnders confirmed.
The best-back, fortunately, was again in elements of coaching on Monday along with his teammates, however Saturday’s journey to Tottenham is the match that’s anticipated to herald his return.
Thiago, in the meantime, is in “a great way” however he has but to make a full coaching return as his particular person rehabilitation continues following hip surgical procedure on the back-end of final season.
There have been no different accidents to report, however Lijnders did verify that “adjustments” will probably be made to the lineup.
2. Straight to penalties, if wanted
With no further time till the semi-final stage, each League Cup match that’s degree after the ultimate whistle will go on to a penalty shootout.
The Reds have gained their final 4 penalty shootouts, and that features one in opposition to the Foxes again in 2021 – Jurgen Klopp‘s males gained each home cups from the spot in 2021/22.
Unsure our nerves ought to be put to the check this early, although!
3. What number of adjustments?
You sense Liverpool’s lineup might be a predictable one after we think about how Klopp rotated for the primary Europa League conflict, with a not too dissimilar XI possible.
From Sunday’s league match, 11 adjustments wouldn’t come as a shock as Lijnders said on the eve of the conflict that “we have to make adjustments, it’s a given in a interval like this.”
Stefan Bajcetic is in line for one more berth at right-back, although this not the place his future lies, whereas Ben Doak is about to get one other alternative, this time alongside Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo.
Predicted Reds XI: Kelleher; Bajcetic, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Gravenberch; Doak, Jota, Gakpo
4. Man Metropolis chase the file
All through its numerous iterations, Liverpool have loved the League Cup; the Reds have gained the competitors 9 instances – greater than anybody else.
Man Metropolis are actually shut behind, although, with 5 successes in six makes an attempt between 2016 and 2021 taking their general tally to eight.
This season, Virgil van Dijk will probably be hoping to elevate the trophy for a second time and prolong the membership file. Ought to he do it, it could be his first trophy – hopefully, of many – as Liverpool captain.
5. Life within the Championship
Italian supervisor Enzo Maresca took over from Dean Smith in the summertime and has gained 9 of his first 10 video games at Leicester.
The Foxes are anticipated to return straight again as much as the highest flight, however the Championship is notoriously unpredictable. They’re, although, presently high of the desk and Jamie Vardy remains to be scoring targets – three in 9 to this point this season.
The final spherical additionally noticed them journey to Merseyside, beating Tranmere 2-0 after knocking Burton Albion out by the identical scoreline within the first spherical.
Potential Leicester XI: Stolarczyk; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin; Casadei, Ndidi, Winks; Akgun, Iheanacho, Mavididi
6. No VAR
There will probably be no VAR for this one.
Tim Robinson takes cost of a Liverpool sport for the primary time as referee, having acted as fourth official on two earlier events for the Reds.
The official was promoted to the PGMOL’s Choose Group One in the summertime and has refereed two Premier League matches to this point this season.
Simon Bennett and Daniel Robathan are the assistant referees, whereas David Webb takes the fourth official function.
7. Not televised within the UK
The match isn’t on UK tv, with Sky Sports activities’ Wednesday choose being Newcastle vs. Man Metropolis.
Fortunately, you may nonetheless maintain updated with all the pieces that’s occurring with This Is Anfield.
Adam Beattie will probably be operating the matchday dwell blof and there would be the typical build-up and response to occasions at Anfield.
8. Final time we met Leicester…
Liverpool didn’t take pleasure in a succesful season final time round, however they nonetheless did the double over Leicester.
Most not too long ago, they beat Dean Smith’s Foxes 3-0 on the King Energy Stadium in Could. It was a sport that can primarily be remembered as an illustration of Scouse energy.
Curtis Jones put Liverpool two forward within the first half earlier than a shocking free-kick, from Trent Alexander-Arnold, sealed the sport with 20 minutes left to play.
That match was a part of the 18-game unbeaten run Liverpool are presently on.
9. A stunning statistic
Liverpool haven’t gained a League Cup tie in regular time at Anfield within the final seven matches – a loopy statistic given the Reds gained the competitors in 2022.
That final time was in opposition to Leeds in 2016, when Ben Woodburn grew to become the membership’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
On the brilliant aspect, Liverpool have failed to attain in solely two of the final 29 residence encounters in all competitions in opposition to Leicester.
Vardy might be the opposition’s hazard man. He has a superb file in opposition to Liverpool, scoring 10 targets in his 17 appearances in opposition to the Reds in all competitions.
10. Observe the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Leicester will not be dwell on tv within the UK, however you may keep updated This Is Anfield and examine in with our worldwide TV information previous to kick-off.
TIA’s matchday dwell weblog will probably be up and operating from 7pm, with Adam Beattie tasked with preserving you entertained and up-to-date.
The match kicks off at 7.45pm (BST).
Come on you Reds!