Liverpool are back at home on Boxing Day and heavy favorites as they host a struggling match Leicester the team in the Premier League.

Liverpool vs Leicester

Premier League (17) | Anfield
December 26, 2024 | 8:00 p.m. (GMT)

There has been no “new manager bounce” since Leicester who were embroiled in a serious relegation fight after the weekend’s results.

After a dominant 6-3 victory at TottenhamLiverpool are ready to capitalize on the Foxes’ low confidence – even if they have to keep the back door shut while they put Leicester under pressure.

Ultimately, Liverpool should be too strong with a crowd behind them who will have already enjoyed a full day of revelry – it should be a good night at Anfield.

1. Top at Christmas

THE Premier League The table certainly looks like a nice sight for Liverpool supporters this Christmas.

Thanks to Evertonthe draw against Chelseathe Reds extended their lead to four points with a game in hand over the Londoners, while Arsenal sit two more points back.

Liverpool also led at Christmas by four points in 2018 and 2020, but failed to win the championship on either occasion.

Mikel Arteta’s side will only play on December 27 at 8:15 p.m. when they host Ipswich in what should be an opportunity to address three relatively simple points.

The day before, Chelsea stage a west London derby at Stamford Bridge, as they face Fulham who took points from Liverpool and Arsenal already this season.

2. Boxing Day Record

After three away trips, this will be the first time Liverpool have played at Anfield on Boxing Day since 2018.

Below Jurgen Kloppthe Reds made a habit of bringing late gifts on St. Stephen’s Day, winning all six matches on December 26 during the German’s stay at the club.

Their last three Boxing Day outings have been away from home, winning Leicester, Villa Aston And Burnley providing festive cheer to traveling supporters.

Throughout Liverpool’s history, they have played 92 times on December 26, winning 45, drawing 24 and losing 23.

3. Team News

Liverpool have a relatively healthy squad for Thursday’s match, with Conor Bradley (ankle) and Ibrahima Konate (knee) the only players permanently absent.

It is hoped that the couple will return in January. The same can be said of LeicesterThis is Wilfred Ndidi who missed his last two league matches due to a thigh problem.

Leicester are also without first-choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, right-back Ricardo Pereira and winger Issahaku Fatawu, while Ruud van Nistelrooy revealed on Tuesday that Jamie Vardy is also a doubt.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward was booed by his own supporters during the 3-0 defeat against Wolves and Van Nistelrooy could choose to recall Jakub Stolarczyk, who is fit again.

4. Lineup Prediction

The big questions for Slot lie up front and in midfield, as he must decide whether to rest a few players against Leicester Or Western Ham.

The game being at home, Curtis Jones could be a good midfield option to unlock a team that might intend to keep things tight for as long as possible.

Diogo Jota will also be hoping to start for the first time since Liverpool’s 2-1 win against Chelsea on October 20.

However, with an interval of four days between Tottenham game and this match, Slot is likely to stay with the same team that scored six.

XI predicts: Alison; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk; Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo

5. Leicester loses goals

At the end of November, Leicester decided to fire Steve Cooper after only five months in office. Van Nistelrooy was brought in to replace him, but things didn’t really improve.

In the last five matches, they have conceded 14 goals, including three against a player threatened with relegation. Wolves on Sunday.

This season they have won three, drawn five and lost nine league matches, leaving them two points above the drop zone.

Van Nistelrooy said after their last defeat: “It’s going to be a long season this season and every game we’re going to play is a new one.”

Let’s hope Liverpool have a very long night of boxing for the visitors.

6. “Why do we play at Christmas”

Of course we don’t want Liverpool to drop points, but the busy festive schedule provides excitement and arguably better chances for the league’s best players to make a mistake.

It happened for Chelsea on the weekend and Slot explained why he is part of the Premier LeagueIt’s attractive.

On Sunday, the Dutchman said: “It’s the Premier League. I didn’t expect Chelsea losing points today too, so it can happen every game and that’s what makes this league so special.

“That’s why so many people want to see it and that’s why we play at Christmas.”

7. 4 risks suspension

Although Liverpool don’t have too many injury concerns at the moment, they risk losing players due to suspension.

Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch And Darwin Nuñez all received four Premier League yellow cards this season, meaning they are just one warning away from missing a match.

Ibrahima Konate is in the same boat but, of course, will not feature against Leicester due to injury.

If one of these players received a yellow on Thursday, he would miss the Reds’ next trip to Western Ham.

8. Who is the referee?

Darren Bond is the referee for Liverpool vs. Leicester in the Premier Leaguewhile Scott Ledger and Matthew Wilkes are his assistants at Anfield.

This is only the second time Bond has taken charge of the Reds, the previous time being in their 3-2 victory against Brighton in the League Cup earlier this season.

Most familiar face Chris Kavanagh will act as video assistant referee, with Craig Taylor as VAR assistant.

9. Did you know?

Only once before have Liverpool kicked off at 8pm on Boxing Day. This happened in 2019 when Klopp’s side won 4-0 at Leicester and won the Premier League title.

The Reds have scored at least twice in nine of their last 10 home league matches.

Should Virgil van Dijk score, he will become the 15th player in Liverpool’s history to score for the club all seven days of the week.

Liverpool top the table at Christmas for the 21st time in their history, a record among any English team.

10. Follow the match with TIA

Liverpool vs. Leicester is live Amazon Prime Video with kick-off at 8 p.m. (GMT).

TIA’s live blog of the day will be up and running from 7:15 p.m., with Harry McMullen responsible for entertaining you and keeping you informed.

Come on, Reds!