Without a doubt, the headliner fixture of the Premier League weekend is third place Leicester City visiting table-topping Liverpool. This match marks the return of former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, who came oh so close to guiding Liverpool to the 2013-14 league title.
Behind a strong, fun to watch team led by the S boys (Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling), the Merseyside club came within a Steven Gerrard slip of ending the well documented, elongated league title drought.
It’s going to be emotional for Rodgers, no doubt. Let’s look at the team news for this one, starting with his Foxes.
Attacking midfielder James Maddison is a doubt, but the club is holding out hopes that he’ll be fit on Saturday. The Englishman missed out on the massive win over Newcastle United last time out due to an injury. Matty James and Daniel Amartey remain long term absentees.
Flipping over to the hosts, central defender Joel Matip is a doubt for the match, but could yet play a part. He missed the Salzburg win due to a “slight knock” that he picked up in the win over Sheffield United this past Saturday.
Midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is very likely out, after having sustained a calf injury that doesn’t have a public time table for recovery at this time.
Finally, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that starting goalkeeper Alisson could play, but given the conservative nature with which they have brought him along in his recovery, it’s more likely his comeback won’t be until after the international break.
Liverpool FC vs Leicester City FYIs
Kickoff: Oct. 5, 3pm Anfield
Starting XI Predictions: go to this link
Form Guide: Liverpool- WWWWW Leicester City- WWLWW
Manager press conference videos: coming soon
Odds via Sky Bet: Liverpool FC 4/9, Draw 18/5, Leicester City 11/2
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Google’s result probability: 65% Liverpool win, 21% Draw, 14% Leicester City victory
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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