Liverpool v Leicester

After abysmal last three games, it's crucial to get a home win on Boxing Day. Our opponents, of course, the league leaders.

However, the league leaders still don't instill such fear in me as someone like Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City would. Leicester's previous game was in Merseyside as well, and they were perhaps a little lucky to beat Everton, courtesy of two penalties and a bad defensive mistake.

The good news is that Jamie Vardy might even have a hamstring injury that could rule him out of this game. The bad news that Martin Skrtel definitely has one and our only available center-backs appear to be Sakho and Toure right now. Unless Can is going to play there, but rather not.

Absolutely crucial to get the three points to prevent our season from completely stalling. We're running on a single cylinder right now. Let's get some more going. And merry *bleep* Christmas.

I just know right now that mahrez will destroy Moreno so bad its not even funny. anyway I'm gonna say LC will turn up put a few men behind the ball. put a bit of work in by closing down. chuck a few balls into the box from a corner and walk away with the 3 points.

I'm pretty sure they are gonna beat us. They play the exact way that we have no answer to.

Don't call me James wrote:I'm pretty sure they are gonna beat us. They play the exact way that we have no answer to.

seems like everyone plays the same way we have no answer for

Come on guys. I have good vibe for this game, don't kill it.

Lats month i was like "results don't matter, what matters is playing good and keeping the improvement graph in upward direction blah blah blah"
This month I am like " murder, rape or rob I dnt care just get dem 3 points ffs"
What sad turn of events

A win would be nice. Not losing would also be nice. I'd just like to see some goals and positive play though. Would really like to see Firmino step up to the plate as he's been largely disappointing since joining.

What sort of team is going to turn-up??? Mignolet, Clyne, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Henderson and Coutinho are sure starters, IMO. Either of Toure and Lovren will also start. That leaves three spots to fill. Our approach and tactics will depend on which three is picked from Benteke, Origi, Lallana, Firmino, Ibe, Allen and Emre.

I hope Ibe starts. Firmino needs to be benched for now.

Okay, so, Benteke is on the bench while both Firmino and Origi start. To be quite honest, I don't know what's going on here. Don't like this one bit.

On the positive side, I like it how attacking our midfield is with Henderson, Can, Lallana and Coutinho. I think we can just about get away with that against Leicester in home. Just wondering who will score the goals...

Need Benteke to start ffs. Whats the scene with him not fully fit for 90 mins or what?

Toothless stuff again. Firmino needs to come off right now, even if it's Randall or Bogdan in his place.

With benteke this team luKs so much dangerous. Wonder why would klopp make him sit in bench

Wonder when sturridge can come back after breaking his nail.

Ooooo-key, ben-te-ke

Klopp needs to instill some steel nerves in this team. All in all though great present for fans. Merry Christmas kloppo and lads

A win and a clean-sheet against the league leaders...

A hugely relieving win, even if the performance felt like the same old toothless stuff.

Benteke not scoring that last minute chance

Good win though.

Art Morte wrote:Toothless stuff again. Firmino needs to come off right now, even if it's Randall or Bogdan in his place.

I feel like you're just picking on Firmino at this point. I've been less than impressed with him since he joined us, but he was not bad today at all. His off the ball movement was great, he pressed well and obviously combined for the goal with a nice cross in.

Henderson was brilliant...really makes me confident we can move to the 4-2-3-1 though I think in more difficult matches I'd rather see Lucas - Hendo than Can - Hendo.

Lovren again showing just how improved he's been under Klopp. Great performance and lending credence to the thought that Lovren - Sakho should be our pairing moving forward.

If Leicester had scored on that ensuing counter attack...Benteke...lol...why wouldn't he just lift the ball over the defender and in? In that situation there should always be a goal what a silly event.

Happy for the 3 points. Push on, YNWA!

Don't call me James wrote:Benteke not scoring that last minute chance

Good win though.

Firmino should have taken the shot from the center-circle.

We would have won 2-0 had he been a bit more selfish.

[quote="Curtinho"]

Art Morte wrote:Lovren again showing just how improved he's been under Klopp. Great performance and lending credence to the thought that Lovren - Sakho should be our pairing moving forward.

This is an interesting point...

While, I'm still not sold on Lovren as a regular starter, pairing him with Sakho seems much better than pairing him with Skrtel (even if it does move him to a less-familiar RCB role). Perhaps this is down to his (and Sakho's) natural instinct to step up to close down. In contrast, Skrtel tends to back-off and allow the play to develop, waiting for his opportunity to make his now famous (infamous?) last-ditch tackle.

Whatever the reasons, it seems we will have the opportunity to seem more of this particular pairing, as Skrtel's injury necessitates it. However, I will be perfectly content should Skrtel return to fitness only to find his place has been taken by a resurgent Lovren, making the RCB role his own.

[quote="donttreadonred"]

Curtinho wrote:

Art Morte wrote:Lovren again showing just how improved he's been under Klopp. Great performance and lending credence to the thought that Lovren - Sakho should be our pairing moving forward.

This is an interesting point...

While, I'm still not sold on Lovren as a regular starter, pairing him with Sakho seems much better than pairing him with Skrtel (even if it does move him to a less-familiar RCB role). Perhaps this is down to his (and Sakho's) natural instinct to step up to close down. In contrast, Skrtel tends to back-off and allow the play to develop, waiting for his opportunity to make his now famous (infamous?) last-ditch tackle.

Whatever the reasons, it seems we will have the opportunity to seem more of this particular pairing, as Skrtel's injury necessitates it. However, I will be perfectly content should Skrtel return to fitness only to find his place has been taken by a resurgent Lovren, making the RCB role his own.

Where have you been???

Let's have a new match-thread, shall we !!!