Liverpool vs Leicester City, Premier League 2016/17: Where to watch live, preview, betting odds and possible XI
KEY POINTS
- Liverpool and Leicester have won just one of their three games this season.
- Club-record signing Islam Slimani could make his debut when the Foxes take on Liverpool on Saturday
Liverpool will take on Leicester City in the Reds' first home game of the season on Saturday (10 September).
Where to watch live
Kick-off is at 5.30pm BST. Live coverage is on BT Sport 1. Catch the highlights of the match on Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10.30pm BST.
Overview
Liverpool finally get to play at home this season after three away fixtures owing to construction at Anfield. On Friday the Reds inaugurated their new main stand which has increased the stadium capacity to just over 54,000. Jurgen Klopp will hope to celebrate their new main stand with a win, but they face a difficult task as they welcome Premier League champions Leicester City.
The German coach is keen to make Anfield a fortress this season and believes the increased capacity can help make the atmosphere even more electric than it already is. Klopp completed his transfer business early and therefore they will be no debuts unlike other teams in the Premier League and is likely to field the same team that started against Tottenham Hotspur just prior to the international break.
The Merseyside club will be without Emre Can and Ragner Klavan for the game against the Foxes, which will see Joel Matip retain his place alongside Dejan Lovren at centre-back. Daniel Sturridge is likely to find himself on the bench again with Klopp preferring Roberto Firmino as the number nine.
Leicester, on the other hand, are likely to hand a debut to club record signing Islam Slimani, who was snapped up from Sporting Lisbon transfer deadline day. The striker was impressive for the the Portuguese club last season and could feature when they take on the Reds. Claudio Ranieri's team embark on their first Champions League campaign on Wednesday and one eye could be on their clash against Club Brugge.
The two clubs are tied on four points and will be keen to get back to winning ways as they look to keep in touch with their main rivals on top of the table. Liverpool were one of only two teams who beat Leicester last season, with the other being Arsenal.
What managers say
Jurgen Klopp [on Liverpool's new main stand]: Everybody's spoken about it over the last 20 to 30 years, changing something, but it's not too easy because of the surroundings. I come here and it's already done. I'm honoured and proud I can use it now. It's unbelievable. Lucky b------. So now, fill it with life. That's my responsibility. It's good. It's close. It's more. It's big. I love it. I tested the acoustics by shouting in training, and it was pretty good. It's really massive and really impressive. More is better. Then we are better.
Claudio Ranieri: Everybody renewed their contract, they know very well they can play or can't play – that is football at the highest level. Of course there is not a hierarchy – it's not [a case that] somebody who played last season is assured to play this season. I watch every training session, I watch every match, and if someone I see is better, then I change. Nobody is sure of their shirt to play at the beginning.
Betting Odds (Betfair)
- Liverpool to win: 13/20
- Draw: 14/5
- Leicester City to win: 4
Team News
Liverpool
- Injured: Emre Can, Ragner Klavan
- Doubtful: N/A
- Suspended: N/A
Possible XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Moreno; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana; Mane, Coutinho, Firmino
Leicester City
- Injured: Mendy, Jeffery Schlupp
- Doubtful: N/A
- Suspend: N/A
Possible XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, King, Drinkwater, Albrighton; Vardy, Okazaki
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.