Liverpool vs Leicester preview

Team news, key stats and predictions ahead of Liverpool vs Leicester in the Premier League.

• Premier League scores and fixtures
• Premier League table

Team news

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a late decision to make on whether to recall goalkeeper Alisson Becker for the visit of Leicester.

The Brazil international has been sidelined by a calf injury sustained in the opening game of the season, but has returned to full training with the first team.

Centre-back Joel Matip will definitely miss out, however, with a minor knee problem which made him unavailable for the midweek Champions League win over Red Bull Salzburg.

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Leicester's former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is likely to change a winning side on his return to Anfield.

Midfielder James Maddison has recovered from an ankle problem which forced him to miss the 5-0 thrashing of Newcastle last weekend.

Summer signing Dennis Praet impressed against Newcastle, but the Belgium international is the most likely to make way for Maddison.

How to follow and watch

Follow the action with our dedicated live blog. Highlights of the game will be published at 5.15pm on the Sky Sports website and app plus the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.

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Opta stats

• Liverpool are unbeaten in eight home Premier League matches against Leicester City (W6 D2 L0) since losing 0-2 in May 2000.
• Liverpool's current run of 16 consecutive Premier League victories is the second-longest ever in English top-flight history, bettered only by Manchester City between August-December 2017 (18).
• Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 43 home league games (W33 D10) - the longest current run in the top five European leagues, and Liverpool's second-longest ever in top-flight history. Their previous best of 63 between February 1978-December 1980 was eventually ended by Leicester.
• Since Brendan Rodgers was appointed Leicester manager, only Liverpool (49) and Manchester City (46) have won more Premier League points than the Foxes (31).
• Leicester have lost 11 of their last 13 Premier League games against sides starting the day top of the table (D2), with their last such victory coming away against Manchester United in January 1998.
• This is Brendan Rodgers' first return to Anfield since leaving Liverpool in October 2015. Only one manager to have previously managed the Reds in the Premier League has won away against them in the competition - Roy Hodgson in April 2012 with West Brom (W1 D3 L9).
• Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has scored seven Premier League goals against Liverpool - only Andrew Cole (11) and Thierry Henry (8) have scored more against the Reds in Premier League history.
• If Sadio Mane scores, it will be his 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool in his 100th appearance for the club. He will also be the 10th different player to score 50 in the competition for the Reds, more than any other club.

Charlie's prediction

This is the ultimate test for Leicester. They are the real deal and could be close to breaking into the top six. They beat Tottenham and should have got something against Man Utd, but they will go to Anfield and take them on. Liverpool's defence isn't as good as last season and we knew that, but they are five points clear. Brendan Rodgers knows how dangerous their front three will be, he will try to block the full-backs too and that isn't being defensive, it is being tactical. If Salzburg can score three times at Anfield then I'm sure Leicester could grab a goal. Liverpool have played well in some and stumbled in other, so this might be the one where they finally falter.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-2 (16/1 with Sky Bet)

Fantasy Football tip

Ricardo Pereira is the highest scoring defender in Fantasy Football with 55 points, with over half of those coming in his last two matches, scoring twice. The £8.5m will have to be just as efficient in defensive duties on Saturday in order to combat the high-flying Andy Robertson (£10.3m) down the left, who scored his first Champions League goal against Red Bull Salzburg through the week.

Who will you pick? Play Fantasy Football here.

Super 6: Will it be a jolly return for Rodgers? A mere four per cent of Super 6 players think it will be, while 82 per cent believe Liverpool will make it eight wins from eight in the Premier League. Have your say in this week's Super 6. Play here for free.

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