Liverpool vs Leicester LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Wout Faes nets two horror own goals

Cody Gakpo will get a first-hand look at his new teammates this evening after signing for Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven earlier this week. The Reds play host to Leicester City in the Premier League tonight and will want to impress their new addition who is not yet eligible to play.

Jurgen Klopp’s men continue their push towards the top four and come into the match in sixth place five points behind Tottenham (4th) but 15 away from the Premier League leaders Arsenal. Liverpool resumed their league campaign with a comfortable, if not entirely dominant, 3-1 win away at Aston Villa and are aiming to secure their fourth consecutive league victory.

Four wins from five matches before the World Cup break saw Leicester open up a four-point gap on the relegation zone but Brendan Rodgers’ men toiled last time out when they were hammered 3-0 by Newcastle. James Maddison continues to recover from a knee injury which means the Foxes are without their most creative player in midfield and could struggle to contain Liverpool at Anfield this evening.

Follow all the action from the Premier League as Liverpool host Leicester City:

Liverpool vs Leicester

FULL TIME! Liverpool close gap on top four with help from Faes’ two own goals

78’ CHANCE! – Nunez blazes a great chance over the crossbar (LIV 2-1 LEI)

51’ SHOT! – Henderson goes wide with decent effort from inside the box (LIV 2-1 LEI)

45’ OWN GOAL! Disaster for Faes as defender turns in second OG (LIV 2-1 LEI)

38’ OWN GOAL! Liverpool level as Faes’ sliced clearance loops in (LIV 1-1 LEI)

22’ CLOSE! – A free header for Ndidi is blocked by Oxlade-Chamberlain (LIV 0-1 LEI)

4’ GOAL! – Dewsbury-Hall sends Leicester ahead early on (LIV 0-1 LEI)

The Reds defeated Aston Villa last time out and can move within two points of the top four

Leicester are hoping to bounceback after being humbled 3-0 by Newcastle on Boxing Day

Liverpool FC 2 – 1 Leicester City FC

Full-time: Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:58 , Michael Jones

Story continues

90+4 mins: Liverpool see out 2022 with a victory at Anfield! It’s their fourth Premier League win in a row and they are back within touching distance of the top four now just two points behind Tottenham.

They really have Wout Faes to thank after his two own goals but it’s just about results for Jurgen Klopp’s men at the minute.

Leicester were spirited and arguably the better team in the first 30 minutes but those two own goals and tactical changes from Klopp made things difficult for them in the second half.

Brendan Rodgers won’t be too disheartened by the Foxes’ performance but he’ll want to convert Leicester’s good spells into league points going forward.

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:52 , Michael Jones

90 mins: There’s going to be four minutes of added time to play. Leicester don’t look particularly threatening but they have pace on the counter and may only need one good chance to secure a point.

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:48 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Teenager Stefan Bajcetic replaces the injured Harvey Elliott and will play the final few minutes of this tense game. He came on and scored against Aston Villa earlier in the week, what can he muster tonight?

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:46 , Michael Jones

84 mins: This could be worrying for Liverpool after Harvey Elliott stays down following a heavy challenge. He’s being looked at by the physios who have signalled over to the bench.

In the meantime Trent Alexander-Arnold is replaced with Joe Gomez for the Reds.

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:44 , Michael Jones

81 mins: Save! A hoofed clearance up the pitch bounces over to Wout Faes who’s immediately pounced on by Darwin Nunez. Nunez shoulders the defender off the ball and takes it into the box.

He weaves and twists but can’t get a shot away so decides to lay it off to Mo Salah. Salah gets the ball onto his left-foot and lets fly but Danny Ward leans over to his right and palms it wide of the goal.

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:40 , Michael Jones

78 mins: Chance! That was the opportunity for Darwin Nunez to seal the game for Liverpool. He keeps himself onside before making a fine run behind as Naby Keita chips the ball over the top.

Nunez controls it and dribbles into the box before guiding a side-footed effort over the crossbar!

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:39 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Kelechi Iheanacho comes on for Leicester to replace Ayoze Perez and is almost played in on goal immediately. Liverpool find their wingbacks too high up the pitch as the ball comes to Jamie Vardy dropping deeper.

He flicks an optimistic ball into the space usually occupied by Kostas Tsimikas. Iheanacho sprints over to the ball and curls a low cross into the box but Joel Matip gets there ahead of Harvey Barnes and turns the ball wide.

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:34 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Save! Kostas Tsimikas swings a free kick into the Leicester box but Timothy Castagne wins the initial ball and heads it away.

It’s collected by Naby Keita who recycles it back into the penalty area where Virgil van Dijk nods it across to Mo Salah. Salah shifts to create half a yard of space then laces one at goal and is denied by the outstretched legs of Danny Ward!

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:29 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Boubakary Soumare is booked! Thiago miscontrols the ball just outside the Liverpool penalty area which gives Soumare the idea that he can nick it away from the midfielder.

He leaps into the challenge but arrives ever so slightly late and takes out Thiago instead of winning possession. Clear yellow card.

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:27 , Michael Jones

66 mins: Chance! Joel Matip takes the ball and threads a forward pass up to Darwin Nunez. He carries it along the front edge of the box before giving it to Salah who slips the ball into the box.

Nunez gets around Luke Thomas and shoots but blazes his effort over the goal!

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:23 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Jurgen Klopp responds with a couple of changes of his own. Andy Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both replaced with Kostas Tsimikas and Naby Keita.

Keita will slot in alongside Thiago and Henderson with Harvey Elliott pushed up to the forward line.

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:21 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Brendan Rodgers is the first manager to make a tactical change. Wilfred Ndidi is off with Youri Tielemans introduced into the Leicester midfield. It’s a more attacking substitution from the former Liverpool boss.

The Foxes win a corner that gets whipped into the middle of the box. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gets to the ball first and nods it away.

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:18 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Liverpool have sharpened up at half-time. They’re more disciplined in possession and more compact when defending. Leicester’s counter-attacking success has been nullified for the moment.

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:15 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Chance! Liverpool play the ball up to Darwin Nunez who turns and drives towards the box before threading a brilliant pass in between the Leicester defenders to send Mo Salah into the box.

Salah has to shoot with his weaker right-foot as the ball bobbles off target, he goes for the opposite bottom corner but turns it wide of the far post!

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:12 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Chance! Jordan Henderson drifts into space inside the penalty area and receives the ball when it’s played across from the right.

He hits a more than decent shot with the outside of his right boot and fizzes the effort just wide of the far post!

Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:10 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Jordan Henderson gives the ball away to Ayoze Perez with a poor clearance for Liverpool. Perez sends a cross field pass over to the left wing where Harvey Barnes touches the ball into the box.

He sprints around Trent Alexander-Arnold and has a go at goal but lifts the ball over the crossbar from a tight angle.

Second half: Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:07 , Michael Jones

Liverpool get the match restarted and boot the ball forward to Wout Faes who comfortably heads it away. Leicester can’t rest for long though as Liverpool send the ball up to Mo Salah.

Ha darts inside from the right and slips a pass into the box towards Darwin Nunez. Faes intercepts and is encouraged to shoot by the Liverpool supporters.

HT Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:03 , Michael Jones

Wout Faes is the fourth player to score two own goals in a single Premier League game, after:

Jamie Carragher (1999, Liverpool vs Man Utd),

Michael Proctor (2003, Sunderland vs Charlton),

Jonathan Walters (2013, Stoke vs Chelsea).

HT Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

21:00 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have conceded seven goals in the opening five minutes of Premier League games in 2022.

This is the joint-most such goals conceded in a calendar year in the competition’s history, along with Blackburn in 2009 and Sunderland in 2000.

HT Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

20:56 , Michael Jones

A decent first half for Leicester was turned on its head by two mistakes from central defender Wout Faes. The good news is that the Foxes are still in this game and can make a comeback in the second half.

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Half-time: Liverpool 2-1 Leicester

20:52 , Michael Jones

45+3 mins: The referee blows the whistle to end the first half at Anfield.

Leicester went in front with some solid and quick counter-attacking football but two own goals from Wout Faes – under regular pressure from the home side – sends Liverpool into the break with the lead.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Leicester (Faes OG, 45’)⚽️

20:47 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Another own goal for Leicester!

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wins an aerial ball and nods it on to Darwin Nunez who drives at the Leicester defence. He brings the ball into the box and chips the charging Danny Ward but hits the far post!

Mo Salah is waiting for the rebound but Wout Faes is ahead of him. He attempts to lift the ball over the crossbar but knocks it into the top corner.

Liverpool have been gifted two goals and they now lead!

Liverpool 1-1 Leicester

20:46 , Michael Jones

43 mins: Chance! Dewsbury-Hall shuffles away from a tackle in the middle of the pitch and fizzes the ball up to Barnes who turns it round the corner for Vardy.

Vardy carries the into the box and shifts it wide of Van Dijk before laying up Barnes to shoot. He does but Robertson gets back this time and gets in the block.

Liverpool 1-1 Leicester

20:43 , Michael Jones

41 mins: That goal has given Liverpool a new lease of life and the Reds are pushing up the pitch trying to get themselves in front before the break.

Thiago Alcantara switches the ball over to Harvey Elliott on the right and his cross gets turned behind for a corner.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Leicester (Faes OG, 38’)⚽️

20:41 , Michael Jones

38 mins: Oh no! It’s a shocker for Wout Faes. Trent Alexander-Arnold is given the ball on the right wing and curls a low cross into the penalty area.

Faes is wide open but makes a hash of his attempted clearance only managing to loop the ball over his own goalkeeper and into the back of the Leicester net!

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:40 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Close! The best chances for Liverpool are coming down the left wing through Andy Robertson. He swings in a cross from out wide and finds Trent Alexander-Arnold who pokes one at goal only for Daniel Amartey to block and clear the danger.

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:38 , Michael Jones

34 mins: Leicester look really comfortable in and out of possession. Liverpool haven’t really been able to play through them and their aerial passes aren’t finding the targets.

Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah have hardly been in the game.

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:34 , Michael Jones

30 mins: A lofted ball from Leicester comes over Ayoze Perez on the right side of the pitch. He brings the ball into the box and lifts a cross into the middle hoping to pick out Harvey Barnes or Jamie Vardy.

Virgil van Dijk rises above both forwards and nods the ball out for a corner. Liverpool have been broken down by another simple ball once again.

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:29 , Michael Jones

26 mins: Disallowed goal! Danny Ward gets lucky with a clearance as the ball strikes Mo Salah and bounces over to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Oxlade-Chamberlain releases it back to Salah who turns the ball into the back of the net but the offside flag is raised immediately and VAR confirms that was the correct decision.

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:27 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Chance! Liverpool respond with a pacey move to get the ball up to Darwin Nunez who drifts over to the left side of the box. He carries the ball to the byline and pulls it back into the penalty area for Mo Salah.

Salah takes a first time shot but belts it over the crossbar!

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:24 , Michael Jones

22 mins: Close! Leicester continue to cause problems on the counter-attack with Jamie Vardy slipped in behind on the right this time. He brings the ball into the box and drills a pass over to the back post for the arriving Harvey Barnes. Trent Alexander-Arnold is tracking the winger though and dives towards the pass knocking it out for a corner.

The corner is whipped into the far side of the penalty area by Ayoze Perez where Wilfred Ndidi finds himself in a heap of space. He has a free header and powers it straight at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who keeps it out!

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:21 , Michael Jones

19 mins: Another lunging tackle from Luke Thomas, this time on Harvey Elliott, gives Liverpool a free kick over on the right side of the Leicester final third.

Trent Alexander-Arnold curls a cross in from the set piece but Wilfred Ndidi rises above everyone else to head the ball clear.

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:19 , Michael Jones

17 mins: Blocked! Trent Alexander-Arnold takes the free kick and whips his effort straight into the wall before a second shot from the rebound gets blocked by Leicester as well.

Jamie Vardy is on now and has replaced Patson Daka.

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:17 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Chance for Liverpool! Leicester are playing with 10-men at the minute as Jamie Vardy prepares to come on.

Alexander-Arnold chips a pass up to Darwin Nunez who brings it down and checks to the right before getting clipped and brought down on the edge of the box by Luke Thomas.

Free kick to Liverpool in dangerous area.

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:15 , Michael Jones

13 mins: Patson Daka has gone down off the ball inside Liverpool’s penalty area. He’s clutching his right hamstring and needs seeing to by the Leicester medical staff.

Daka limps off the pitch and may not be able to continue here.

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:12 , Michael Jones

10 mins: Trent Alexander-Arnold looks hungry to get forward on the right wing.

A quick one-two with Harvey Elliott allows him space to whip in a cross but Daniel Amartey squeezes in front of Darwin Nunez and turns the ball behind for a corner that the Foxes then defend easily enough.

Liverpool 0-1 Leicester

20:10 , Michael Jones

7 mins: Leicester are having a lot of joy with their counter-attacking long balls. Liverpool seem all at sea when the Foxes sweep forward quickly.

Ayoze Perez gets the ball over on the right side but he’s brought down by Andy Robertson and Leicester win a free kick.

GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Leicester (Dewsbury-Hall, 4’)⚽️

20:06 , Michael Jones

4 mins: Leicester lead! A long ball from Luke Thomas comes to Harvey Barnes who wins it into the air before sliding a pass up to Patson Daka.

Daka lays it off to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who storms past Jordan Henderson, cuts inside of Virigl van Dijk and guides a left-footed effort wide of Alisson to send the Foxes in front at Anfield.

Liverpool 0-0 Leicester

20:04 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Lovely move from Liverpool who win the ball and give it to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He makes a run down the inside right channel combining with both Harvey Elliott and Mo Salah on his way to the edge of the box.

It’s a sharp move from Liverpool but ends when Alexander-Arnold’s shot is blocked by Wout Faes.

Kick off: Liverpool 0-0 Leicester

20:02 , Michael Jones

Before kick off there is a round of applause for former Liverpool forward David Johnson and Brazilian legend Pele who both recently passed away.

Patson Daka then gets the ball rolling for the first half.

Liverpool vs Leicester

19:57 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams.

Jordan Henderson leads Liverpool out onto the pitch at Anfield. Luis Diaz is waiting on in the stands as is Reds newcomer Cody Gakpo.

Will Liverpool close the gap on the top four or will Leicester shock the Reds tonight?

Liverpool vs Leicester

19:53 , Michael Jones

It’s almost time for kick off at Anfield. Which way is this one going to go?

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Liverpool vs Leicester

19:50 , Michael Jones

The Foxes are aiming to win four straight away league games without conceding for the first time in their history. Can they keep a clean sheet at Anfield tonight?

(AFP via Getty Images)

Klopp praises Salah and Robertson

19:45 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp took the opportunity in tonight’s matchday programme to single out Mo Salah and Andy Robertson for their contributions to Liverpool.

The Reds manager wrote: “A couple of our players reached incredible individual landmarks and I am a great believer that these moments should be acknowledged and celebrated.

“For Mo Salah to be talked about in the same sentence of Sir Kenny Dalglish, the legend of all Liverpool legends, speaks for itself. Best of all, I know Sir Kenny was at the stadium with his grandson to see Mo equal his goals tally and he could not have been more pleased for him. Again, that tells us everything we need to know about Sir Kenny.

“Andy Robertson also deserved the tributes that came his way for becoming the defender with the most assists in Premier League history. Again, this is a special achievement and one that he and we are very proud of. I used the word ‘individual’ and this is true in one sense because the records that Mo and Robbo have are their own, but the best thing about them is that they benefit the team and the club.

“This is where it becomes collective. The better we can do as individuals, in whatever role we have, the better we will do as a team. This applies tonight – especially tonight – because I know full well that Leicester will be wanting to strike back after a disappointing result on Boxing Day.”

Cody Gakpo fills an immediate need for Liverpool but could be Jurgen Klopp’s next long-term central project

19:40 , Michael Jones

Cody Gakpo is in, the latest Liverpool addition and the third part of a renewal of the front line which, for most of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, had been dominated by the triumvirate of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

Only the latter now remains an immovable part of the Anfield attack, Mane departed and Firmino both injured and approaching the end of his contract. As such, the regeneration has come on apace across 2022, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez added to the mix before Gakpo now joins too.

In the short term, he’s an obvious stop-gap addition: Diaz is sidelined, Diogo Jota too, while Nunez is needed centrally due to Firmino’s own injury absence. That leaves the left wing spot up for grabs, at least on a temporary basis.

Gakpo fills Liverpool need now but could be Klopp’s long-term central project

Liverpool’s struggles

19:35 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have won three consecutive league games for the first time since winning their final three fixtures of last season. The Reds won only four of their opening 12 league matches this campaign.

On top of that they have kept just four clean sheets in their 19 Premier League games since the start of May, with only Southampton, Leeds and Aston Villa keeping fewer amongst ever present top-flight sides.

Can Leicester rediscover their defensive form?

19:30 , Michael Jones

Brendan Rodgers’ side conceded as many goals in their 3-0 defeat against Newcastle on Boxing Day as they had in their previous 10 matches in all competitions combined.

The last time they both lost and failed to score in consecutive league games was October 2020.

Klopp pays tribute to Pele

19:25 , Michael Jones

Brazilian football legend Pele passed away yesterday at the age of 82 and the tributes have been pouring in for the three time World Cup winner who changed the game.

Jurgen Klopp spoke about Pele in the build-up to tonight’s match saying: “My Dad always said, whatever happens in the future he will leave us the best, don’t forget that.

“I saw him only as a kid playing but I met him once, around the World Cup in 2006. I have a signed shirt which he gave to me for my birthday which is pretty special, so it feels really tough to be honest.

“Let me say it like this, I believe in God, and whichever team he is playing for now has a decent player. Of course, it will be a massive loss and rest in peace.”

From one king to another

19:20 , Michael Jones

Mohamed Salah needs one more goal to climb to outright seventh place on Liverpool’s all-time top men’s scorers list after the Egyptian matched Sir Kenny Dalglish’s tally of 172 with his opener in the Boxing Day victory at Aston Villa.

The next opportunity for Salah to leapfrog Dalglish in the chart comes tonight as the Reds host Leicester City at Anfield in the Premier League.

(PA)

James Maddison getting ‘special advice’ after returning from World Cup injured

19:15 , Michael Jones

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that James Maddison would miss their clash with Liverpool on Friday.

The 26-year-old midfielder recently returned from World Cup duty with England, but did not feature in Qatar and was absent for the Foxes’ 3-0 defeat to Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Despite managing his knee injury out in Qatar, Rodgers told a pre-match press conference that Maddison would be unavailable and was in London seeing a specialist.

James Maddison getting ‘special advice’ after returning from World Cup injured

Can Leicester win at Anfield?

19:10 , Michael Jones

Leicester have not been in the bottom half of the Premier League table at the turn of the year since the 2016/17 season, when they were reigning champions.

They have recorded five wins against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in league and cup, a joint-high with Manchester City.

But, all five of the Foxes’ victories were at the King Power Stadium.

Liverpool vs Leicester team changes

19:05 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp makes one change to the Liverpool team that defeated Aston Villa last time out. Fabinho drops out of midfield with Harvey Elliott replacing him.

There are two changes for Leicester City. Youri Tielemans and Dennis Praet are replacing by Wilfred Ndidi and Ayoze Perez.

Liverpool vs Leicester line-ups

19:01 , Michael Jones

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Thiago, Henderson, Elliott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Nunez

Leicester XI: Ward, Amartey, Castagne, Faes, Thomas, Ndidi, Soumare, Dewsbury-Hall, Perez, Barnes, Daka

See you next year!

18:55 , Michael Jones

Regardless of the result this evening Liverpool are guaranteed to be outside the Premier League top four at the turn of the year for the first time since the 2015/16 campaign, when Jurgen Klopp had been manager for fewer than three months.

Will they bounce back in 2023?

Cody Gakpo signing impacts Liverpool’s January transfer business, Jurgen Klopp says

18:50 , Michael Jones

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven will impact what else he can do in the January window.

The club struck an initial £40million deal to bring the 23-year-old to Anfield after three days of intense negotiations over Christmas and made their move ahead of schedule to see off competition from rival clubs.

Another forward was not top of their list of priorities as Liverpool’s midfield still needs strengthening but their options in that department may be diminished due to their outlay on the Netherlands international.

‘We’ve put things right before’

18:45 , Michael Jones

Leicester City defender Luke Thomas believes his team can turn things around in the second half of the season and start to move themselves back up the Premier League table but acknowledges that the first step – tonight’s match at Anfield – will be difficult.

Speaking after the Foxes 3-0 defeat to Newcastle, Thomas said: “We’ve put things right before, and we know what we’re capable of.

“If we play our game, we can beat anyone. It’s going to be a tough test at Anfield, but hopefully we can come away with a positive result and the three points.”

Klopp excited to be back at Anfield

18:40 , Michael Jones

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, is excited to be back playing at Anfield in front of home supporters and says it feels like a long time since his team have had the chance to impress at home.

Writing in tonight’s matchday programme Klopp said: “It is a bit of a funny situation because usually at this time of year we have lots of home games but this is our first since we played Southampton in mid-November,

“The good thing is, this in itself is a reason for excitement and I know the players and all of the staff have been really looking forward to this moment.

“A lot has happened since we were last together, of course. To the players who represented their countries at the World Cup, I would like to congratulate them for doing so.

“Ibou Konate was part of the France team which reached the final and this is a major achievement even though he would have preferred a different outcome. Even so, all of the players who were involved should take great pride from playing in a World Cup.”

Jurgen Klopp is betting on Darwin Nunez coming good for Liverpool

18:35 , Michael Jones

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has no concerns about misfiring striker Darwin Nunez after revealing at Borussia Dortmund he used to regularly win money off Robert Lewandowski for failing shooting drills.

Nunez missed a number of chances in Boxing Day’s 3-1 win at Aston Villa, having also squandered opportunities in last week’s Carabao Cup defeat at Manchester City.

Having seemingly found his feet following his potential club-record transfer from Benfica in the summer with seven goals in 10 matches before the World Cup break, Klopp believes the Uruguay international will come good.

And he used Lewandowski, whom he signed for Dortmund from Lech Poznan in 2010 and helped turn into one of the game’s greatest strikers, as an example of how sometimes it takes a while for a player to get to grips with their task.

Jurgen Klopp is betting on Darwin Nunez coming good for Liverpool

Decisive days or an opportunity to escape? Premier League clubs face crunch time in 11-team relegation fight

18:30 , Michael Jones

Can a team be simultaneously sitting in the top half and doing the cliched nervous look back over their shoulder at the bottom three? How about being adrift alone at the bottom on the worst run in the division, but at the same time being only two wins off mid-table?

The Premier League, congested and contorted and crammed in as it is this season, offers plenty of both to the entire bottom half – and perhaps beyond.

Brentford, for example, sit tenth. They have their manager signed to a new deal, beat Man City before the World Cup, produced a credible – first half, at least – display to hold Tottenham to a 2-2 draw on Boxing Day and are in the top half of the table.

All should look, and feel, well. But they also have just that one win at City in their last seven and, if they do not beat West Ham before the turn of the year, will have only two league victories to their name in four months when they host Liverpool in their 2023 opener.

Premier League clubs face crunch time in potential 11-team relegation fight

Liverpool vs Leicester

18:25 , Michael Jones

A clean sheet will see Liverpool keep a third in succession at home against Leicester for the first time in their league history.

There have been only three goalless draws produced in 104 league fixtures between these two teams.

Liverpool vs Leicester

18:20 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have lost two of their last three Premier League games against Leicester, as many as they had in their previous 17 versus the Foxes.

But, Leicester are winless in each of their last 12 away matches against the Reds in all competitions with three draws and nine defeats.

Their last win at Anfield was a 2-0 Premier League victory in May 2000 courtesy of goals by Tony Cottee and Phil Gilchrist.

‘Goodbye to the King’: How newspapers across the world reacted to Pele’s death

18:15 , Michael Jones

The death of football great Pele on Thursday provoked grief from around the globe as the world’s papers rushed to hand tributes to the three-times World Cup winner.

Here is how some of the papers reacted:

‘Goodbye to the King’: How papers across the world reacted to Pele’s death

Liverpool vs Leicester prediction

18:10 , Michael Jones

Liverpool are in form and despite their injuries in attack they should still have too much for Leicester in this one. Not to mention they’ll be boosted by the crowd at Anfield and the team’s desire to reach the top four.

Liverpool 2-0 Leicester.

Liverpool vs Leicester predicted line-ups

18:05 , Michael Jones

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Nunez, Elliott.

Leicester: Ward; Castagne, Amartey, Faes, Thomas; Ndidi, Tielemans; Perez, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes; Vardy.

Liverpool vs Leicester early team news

18:00 , Michael Jones

Liverpool remain without Arthur Melo, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, James Milner, Curtis Jones and Roberto Firmino, but Ibrahima Konate is in contention after World Cup duties.

Dennis Praet picked up an injury in Leicester’s defeat by Newcastle and is set to miss out again, while James Maddison remains out alongside long-term absentees Jonny Evans, Ryan Bertrand, James Justin and Ricardo Pereira.

How to watch Liverpool vs Leicester

17:55 , Michael Jones

The match kicks off tonight, Friday 30 December, at 8pm GMT.

Liverpool vs Leicester will be shown live on UK TV channels Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.

Customers can stream the game live online via the Sky Sports app and website.

Liverpool vs Leicester

17:06 , Michael Jones

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League action as Liverpool take on Leicester at Anfield.

The Reds are hoping to make it four wins on the bounce as they continue to stride towards the top four whilst Leicester are hoping for a positive response after being beaten 3-0 by Newcastle last time out.

Jurgen Klopp’s new signing, Cody Gakpo, has been touring the facilities and training grounds this week and it would not be surprising if he is in attendence this evening to experience Anfield for the first time as a Liverpool player. Gakpo is unavailable to feature as the January transfer window is no officially open yet but should be ready to go for Liverpool’s next match.

Leicester’s James Maddison won’t play at part tonight either. He is still recovering from a knee injury and will be a big loss to Brenden Rodgers’ men who are in desperate need of reinforcements in January.

Kick off for this one is at 8pm and we’ll be team news, build-up and updates throughout the evening so stick with us.