Liverpool aim to strengthen their grip at the summit of the Premier League when they host Leicester City on Boxing Day. The Reds are coming off a stunning 6-3 victory over Tottenham, showcasing one of their most electrifying performances of the season. Under the leadership of manager Arne Slot, Liverpool surged past Chelsea to reclaim the top spot, maintaining their blistering momentum as they prepare for the clash at Anfield.
Leicester City, on the other hand, arrives at Anfield struggling under the weight of consecutive defeats. The Foxes have suffered from poor form, conceding seven goals without reply against Newcastle and Wolves, leaving them precariously positioned just above the relegation zone. Ruud van Nistelrooy's side started the season positively, but now find themselves only two points clear of the drop zone.
Concern grew earlier on Boxing Day as thick fog blanketed Merseyside, leading to the postponement of Tranmere Rovers' match against Accrington Stanley. Liverpool's own game was put under scrutiny due to the poor visibility, reminiscent of the complications faced during the Merseyside derby, which was called off just weeks prior. Liverpool FC’s help account on Twitter advised supporters: "If you are coming to the match today, please set off earlier than usual due to foggy conditions around Anfield stadium." Nonetheless, the match is still expected to proceed as scheduled at 8:00 PM GMT (3:00 PM ET).
Liverpool's team news suggests they may stick to their winning lineup, as both Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are the only absentees. The relentless holiday fixture list usually leads to managerial adjustments, but after such a dominant display against Tottenham, alterations seem unlikely. Key players like Mohamed Salah, who scored twice and assisted two goals last match, are on top form as they look to deliver another commanding performance.
Meanwhile, Leicester faces significant injury issues, potentially missing up to five players for their visit to Anfield. Harry Winks has just returned to training but is not yet ready to start. Without the services of key midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, Leicester's depth will be tested, and their hopes rely heavily on veteran striker Jamie Vardy, who is expected to play, having recovered from a minor knock.
Discussions leading up to the match indicated the awareness of the pressure on Leicester, as they seek to regain some confidence. Slot remarked, "The positive [for Leicester] is...they also won a few," acknowledging the ability of lower-table teams to pull off surprises, especially against top-tier clubs like Liverpool. He emphasized the need for Leicester to seize the moment at Anfield and perform to the best of their abilities under challenging circumstances.
Captain for Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk, reflected on the team's successes and the road forward, stating, "We know there is still a long way to go, but we've set ourselves up to build on this." His call for continued hard work aims to keep Liverpool focused on their premier ambitions for the 2025 season.
The history between Liverpool and Leicester adds another layer of intrigue, as Liverpool leads the all-time meetings with 56 wins compared to Leicester's 41. Their recent form indicates another emphatic victory could be on the horizon, with predictions from various analysts leaning heavily toward Liverpool taking all three points.
Kick-off for the Premier League match at Anfield is set for 8:00 PM BST, which marks another important fixture for Liverpool as they look to solidify their chances for the league title. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, keeping safety as the top priority amid the foggy conditions.
