Liverpool targeting a Top-4 spot

Liverpool FC is getting better and better and also won the first game after the break against Aston Villa. The gap to the Champions League places continues to melt. A home win against Leicester City could already take them to fifth place. Apparently, the break didn't do the Foxes any good, because after a small run of success in November, Newcastle United had to admit defeat a few days ago. 

Just a few days ago, Liverpool FC strengthened their offensive with Cody Gakpo. The Dutch World Cup star should compensate for the many failures and help Liverpool shoot into the Champions League. The form of the Reds has recently shown a clear improvement and they were able to win 3 games in a row. With a game down, they are now just 4 points behind Spurs. Of course, a win against Leicester City at home will help them gain ground. The Foxes suffered a major setback against Newcastle United on the final day of the game. Nevertheless, they were able to stabilize after a catastrophic start to the season. They now want to regain their self-confidence in Liverpool.

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Liverpool analysis

It was a tough start to the season for championship contenders Liverpool FC. The club already has 4 defeats after 15 match days, even though they have recently won 3 in a row. Due to this improving form, they are back in 6th place in the table and are only 5 points behind a Champions League place. Coach Jürgen Klopp has had to accept injury-related absences again and again this season, especially on the offensive. Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are still missing there for several weeks. With Cody Gakpo, a new offensive player has now been committed to provide goals. The Dutchman was one of the stars of this World Cup with 3 goals.

Liverpool are still hard to beat at home at Anfield. They have lost just one game in 8 home games this season. On the other hand, they won 5 of their 8 home games and the goal difference is 21-8. The team can also convince defensively here. After all, 3 times they didn't concede a goal. Liverpool has also scored at least once in every home game. The last home game so far was won 3-1 against Southampton. It was the 3rd home win in the last 4 games. They also beat Manchester City 1-0 at home this season.

Liverpool FC's injury list has gotten significantly shorter in recent weeks, but there are still injuries, especially on the offensive. Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota will be missing for a long time. Roberto Firmino is doubtful against Leicester. Whether Cody Gakpo will already be in the squad is still open. In defence, Ibrahima Konate will probably get time off, as he played with France in the World Cup final. Apart from Arthur Melo, everyone in midfield is fit and ready to play.

Although Leicester City can always put a pinprick against Liverpool FC, the statistics in recent years speak for themselves. Liverpool have only lost 2 of their last 11 ties against Leicester. However, 8 of the remaining 9 games could be won. So also the last duel in the past season that they could win at home with 2:0. The away game, on the other hand, was lost 1-0. 4 wins in a row at Anfield, the last home defeat was in 2000. However, Jamie Vardy is the record scorer in this game with 10 goals.

At €80m, striker Darwin Nunez was Liverpool's most expensive acquisition of the summer. He would replace Sadio Mane and become the Reds' first true centre-forward in years. His conversion of chances has been catastrophic so far, but he can still put up good numbers. 9 goals and 4 assists in 23 games is not a bad record for a new signing. Unlike many other pundits, we wouldn't label it a flop. But he certainly didn't do justice to his fee.

Leicester City analysis

The Foxes got off to a disastrous start to this Premier League season, failing to win in their first 7 games. The team was surprisingly suddenly in last place in the table, even though they were probably the most consistent team behind the Big Six in recent years. Coach Brendan Rodgers then managed to get the team back on track. Only 2 defeats followed in the next 8 games before the World Cup. They climbed up to 13th place in the table. Even if the lead over the relegation places is only 4 points, they are no longer considered relegation candidates.

Now they got off to a bad start again, losing their first game after the World Cup 3-0 to surprise team Newcastle United. It was the first loss for the Foxes after they previously had 4 wins in a row. In these last 4 games the team didn't even concede a goal. Now they even had to concede 3 goals. They haven't conceded that many since the 8th matchday and the 6-2 defeat against Tottenham. The goal ratio is now negative again and stands at 25:28 goals. Only 3 teams conceded more goals.

One of the few points that speaks for Leicester in the game against Liverpool is that they are easier away than at home this year. 3 of 5 victories of the season came on foreign turf. In the away table they are therefore in a decent 9th place, even ahead of Liverpool FC. In addition to the 3 wins, the remaining 5 away games were lost. This is the reason why they have a negative goal ratio of 16:19 goals. In the two defeats against Brighton (5:2) and Tottenham (6:2) alone, however, they conceded a total of 11 goals.

The 3 away wins were celebrated in a row just before the World Cup break. They won against Wolverhampton, as well as against Everton and West Ham United. They didn't concede a single hit and in return they scored 8 goals.

Leicester have been very quiet in the summer transfer market, signing just one outfield player overall. Wout Faes has been signed to replace Wesley Fofana in central defence. The departure of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was not compensated, nor was Hamza Choudhury's departure to Watford. The team is certainly lacking in breadth, which is why we think the Foxes will be active in the winter. Also because with Caglar Yöyüncü another central defender could leave the club.

Leicester City clearly have one of their best players this season and his name is James Maddison. The England international tops both rankings within the club this season with 7 goals and 4 assists, making him their most dangerous player. However, the 26-year-old was injured at the World Cup and it is currently not known when he will return. In the game against Liverpool he will probably not be there.

Liverpool - Leicester: What to expect? 

Liverpool FC have improved significantly in recent weeks and are difficult to beat at home anyway. Anything other than a win for the hosts would therefore surprise us very much. Liverpool have been struggling to keep a clean sheet in recent weeks and months. Leicester also have one of the worst defenses in the Premier League. It could therefore also be worth a tip on more than 3.5 goals.

• Liverpool to win at odds of 1.29
• Over 3.5 goals at odds of 2.2

* All odds and markets are correct at time of publication and subject to change.