View: Gakpo to be dropped, three changes – Liverpool predicted XI v Leicester
Arne Slot could make three changes to his Liverpool starting line-up when they host Leicester on Boxing Day.
Cody Gakpo is expected to drop to the bench after a quiet performance in the 6-3 victory over Tottenham on Sunday (22 December).
Alexis Mac Allister and Andy Roberton are likely to be rested with the Reds playing four matches in 14 days before the FA Cup clash with Accrington Stanley where they will get the chance to rest the majority of their starters.
Slot’s side will be looking to maintain their four-point gap at the summit of the Premier League with second-placed Chelsea playing earlier in the day.
Not much change in Liverpool backline
Alisson is expected to keep his place between the sticks despite conceding three against Ange Postecoglou’s side.
The majority of those came when the Reds were four goals ahead and had took their foot off the gas and the Brazilian still made six recoveries and two saves and even created one chance in the contest. [Fotmob]
Trent Alexander-Arnold is predicted to keep his place at right-back due to his brilliant performance against Spurs, the 26-year-old notched an assist for the opening goal, created four chances and had nine passes into the final third.
Defensively, he made nine recoveries, seven clearances and three interception and won three of the six ground duels that he contested for a 50 per cent success rate.
Joe Gomez was back to his best against Spurs and is expected to start at the heart of the Reds defence once again, he made seven clearance, eight recoveries, one interception and won two out of three ground duels, for a 67 per cent success rate.
Captain Virgil van Dijk is predicted to partner the Englishman, he won 100 per cent of the nine overall duels that he contested against the Lilywhites and made six recoveries and two interceptions.
Kostas Tsmikas might be the only change in defence as Robertson could be given a rest, the Scottish international had a 100 per cent tackle success rate from three attempts and a 75 per cent success rate from the four ground duels that he contested.
At the base of the midfield, Ryan Gravenberch is expected to start once again, he recorded a 91 per cent pass accuracy against Spurs, created one chance, made four recoveries and won seven of 12 ground duels contested for a 67 per cent success rate.
Alexis Mac Allister is predicted to be rested with Curtis Jones potentially replacing the Argentina international, he had an 89 per cent pass accuracy, 100 per cent accuracy from two long balls, made nine recoveries and scored in the contest.
Dominik Szoboszlai excelled against Postecoglou’s side, with perhaps his best performance in a red shirt and he is expected to start again, he recorded an 88 per cent pass accuracy, notched a goal and an assist, had 13 touches in the opposition box, and created a combined expected goal and assist tally of 2.63.
Defensively, he made five recoveries, one interception, and won the only tackle he attempted for a 100 success rate and also won all three of the aerial duels that he contested for a 100 per cent success rate.
One change in attack
Mohamed Salah will likely start on the right-flank, he became the first player to ever hit double digits for both goals and assists before Christmas in a Premier League season with his two goals and two assists at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Luis Diaz started in the number nine role but he is expected to revert back to the left wing for this contest, the Colombian scored two against Spurs, created two chances and had seven touches in the opposition box.
Cody Gakpo was underwhelming despite the big win, he had just one shot, created a combined expected goals and assists total of 0.18, recorded a 71 per cent pass accuracy and completed none of the two dribbles that he attempted so Diogo Jota is predicted to get the nod up front.
The Reds returned to winning ways against the Lilywhites and will be looking to gain momentum and build a bigger gap on their title rivals heading into a crucial month of fixtures.
In other Liverpool news, a finance expert has shared how much the club could make if they win the Premier League and Champions League this season
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