Liverpool will be aiming to reclaim top spot in the Premier League on Sunday evening as they welcome current leaders Leicester City to Anfield.
The Reds currently sit third in the standings, just one point behind the current table toppers and could finish the weekend leading. Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers' Foxes travel to Merseyside looking to lay down a marker ahead of what could potentially be another challenge for the top four or even the title.
Team News
The two sides go into the game having sustained a number of injuries thus far this season.
Throughout the international break, Liverpool have been handed a few considerable blows with Joe Gomez and Jordan Henderson being ruled out, the latter set to be absent for the majority of the 2020/21 season. He joins defensive partner Virgil van Dijk on the sidelines. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also set to be out as he continues his recovery from a calf injury, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a long-term absentee.
The defensive problems do not end there for the Reds though, both Neco and Rhys Williams suffered slight knocks so will be monitored ahead of the match, as will midfielders Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara.
It is not just injuries that are impacting the hosts however. Forward Mo Salah is set to miss this game having received a positive test for COVID-19 and will now observe a period of self-isolation.
Much like their hosts, Leicester have also had to deal with their fair share of injury worries. Long-term absentees Caglar Soyuncu and Wilfred Ndidi are still ruled out but are edging closer to their respective returns. Daniel Amartey is also not yet in contention to play. Ricardo Pereira is working his way towards his first Premier League appearance of the season but is not yet ready so will at first play in an U23s match according to Rodgers.
One player who will appear is Timothy Castagne after the Belgian recovered from a thigh injury that has kept him out of the last two matches. He is likely to line up alongside Wesley Fofana, who despite sustaining a knee problem during the international break, appears to be fine.
Predicted Line-Ups
Liverpool: Alisson; Milner, Matip, R. Williams, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Jota, Mane, Firmino.
Leicester City: Schmeichel; Castagne, Fofana, Evans, Justin; Mendy, Tielemans, Praet; Maddison, Barnes, Vardy.
Last Meeting
In what was also billed as a meeting of title contenders, the Reds squared off with Leicester at the King Power Stadium in December 2019.
It would prove to be the visitors' evening as they swept the East-Midlands outfit aside on route to their first ever Premier League title. Roberto Firmino opened the scoring in the first-half with a fantastic header before James Milner doubled the advantage midway through the second period from the penalty spot.
A further two goals in the next seven minutes of the match, coming from Firmino and Alexander-Arnold, saw Jurgen Klopp's men rack up a hugely impressive victory.
Ones to Watch
Diogo Jota
With the absence of Salah, Portuguese forward Jota is sure to start this game. Even if the Egyptian had been included, the former Wolves man would likely have started anyway.
Since his arrival at Anfield, he has enjoyed a lightning start to life as a Liverpool player, netting seven goals in just 11 matches. He has also scored in each of his last four appearances on home soil, a run he will surely be keen to extend against the Foxes. He has scored more goals against Leicester than any other team throughout his career so far.
Another player in a rich vein of form is Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans. The 23-year-old has already bagged three Premier League goals this season, as many as he scored throughout the entirety of last season. He also took that keen eye for goal onto the international stage, finding the net against England and Denmark.
It's not just been his goalscoring that has caught the eye though. The Belgian's creativity and composure on the ball has been a joy to watch this season and is a huge reason behind Leicester's highly impressive start.
Pre-match Thoughts
Having already beaten Manchester City and Arsenal away from this term, the Foxes have been in imperious form on the road and Rodgers is hoping his side can draw on those performances to overcome Liverpool.
Talking to Leicestershire Live, he said: "In any game away from home, you’ve got to defend well, you’ve got to be strong. You’ve got to be efficient with the ball. That’s been pleasing, that we’re developing different ways to win.
"At Man City we had 28 per cent possession, but it was all dangerous possession. If you look at Villa against Liverpool, they have 30 per cent possession. Be dangerous and be a threat when you have it. You then have to be organised and have a bit of a luck."
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp has been full of praise for his opposite number and the job he has managed to do in the East-Midlands.
He said: "They showed it last year how good they can be. Changed styles slightly. Dealt really well with injuries. Good example how to deal with injury crisis. A clear way of how they want to play. They are contenders for everything."
How To Watch
The match at Anfield kicks off at 7:15pm on Sunday evening and is available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League. Coverage gets underway at 7pm.