Liverpool will host Leicester in an 8pm Boxing Day showdown at Anfield after celebrating Christmas with a four-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table. The Reds won 12 of their 16 clashes before the festive celebration and have a game in hand over their rivals after their match with Everton was cancelled at the start of the month.
Reds boss Arne Slot may be tempted to ring the changes during a busy period, with a trip to West Ham to follow on Sunday, and could hand Diogo Jota his first start for two months following the forward’s injury layoff.
Darwin Nunez is in contention to lead the line, while Luis Diaz could be handed a rest. And Express Sport takes a look at how the Reds could line up.
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Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Leicester (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Alisson would have been disappointed to concede three goals during Liverpool’s 6-3 rout of Tottenham at the weekend. But he has been a reliable figure in between the sticks for a long time now and will start once again against the Foxes.
Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson
With the Christmas scheduling appearing to be kinder than it has been in the past, Slot may stick with the same backline that started against Tottenham on Sunday.
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold teed up the first goal in north London and will be tasked with pushing forward and supporting the attack once more, while Andy Robertson will be hoping to keep his place on the opposite flank.
Joe Gomez could get the nod to partner Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence and could be in for an easier afternoon than he had last time out, with Leicester netting just 21 goals in the Premier League this season.
Midfield: Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones
Ryan Gravenberch has enjoyed a strong season under his new manager and has become an invaluable cog in the Reds midfield. He will have the legs to get through another match and should feature from the outset.
Alexis Mac Allister could slot in alongside him, while Slot could turn to Curtis Jones slightly further forward instead of Dominic Szoboszlai, who enjoyed one of his finest performances in a Liverpool shirt at the weekend.
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Forwards: Salah, Jota, Nunez
Mohamed Salah bagged another two goals and two assists on Sunday as he ran the Spurs defence ragged.
The blockbuster star now has a staggering 18 goals and 15 assists to his name in all competitions since the campaign got underway. Slot will be relying on the Egyptian to fire his side to victory against the Foxes.
The Dutchman could rotate elsewhere in the frontline, with Jota and Nunez vying for a place in the starting team.
Slot has already shown he trusts Jota after handing him a run of starts earlier in the season, while Nunez could come in for Diaz up front.
