Leicester City v Liverpool
Today, 12.30pm, Sky Sports
Liverpool look seriously good but Leicester have won two of their opening three games and were unlucky not to take at least a point against Manchester United on the opening day. Might we witness an upset this afternoon?
Jurgen Klopp takes his all-action Liverpool side to the King Power Stadium keen to keep up momentum. How can Claude Puel’s Leicester get something out of this game? What do Liverpool have to do to ensure they are not dragged into the kind of disappointing draw that littered last season?
How Foxes can win Defend half-spaces
Leicester always line up in a 4-2-3-1 and the two holding midfielders will be crucial in this match. Wilfred Ndidi (25) and Nampalys Mendy (24) are two ball-winning, defensive midfielders, providing a shield for the defence and a safety net when fullbacks Daniel Amartey or Ricardo Pereira and Ben Chilwell go on adventures.
Liverpool’s narrow front three love to attack the half-spaces, with Roberto Firmino (9) often dropping from an advanced No 9 position to the 10 space, resulting in a busy game for the centre-backs, who must be alert to movement and runs in behind.
You can see the average position of Liverpool’s front three here, particularly against Brighton.
Ndidi and Mendy (24) must mind that space between defence and midfield, blocking through-balls and ensuring those in the vicinity are aware when Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane should be in the care of a centre-back.
It requires communication and the passing of responsibility. Ndidi and Mendy cannot mark them because it will disrupt Leicester’s shape, while Amartey and Chilwell will
be busy tending to Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-arnold. Zonal marking is key, while staying tight to the man in that zone.
Disrupt Liverpool
The danger for Leicester is from Salah, Firmino and Mane, but the hub of Liverpool’s game is James Milner. With 314 touches in his three games so far, only Chelsea’s Jorginho has seen more of the ball in the Premier League. Milner’s role has been to shuttle around the pitch linking play defence with attack, to ensure there is always a pass available.
Leicester can attempt to disrupt this by making James Maddison stick tight to Milner when Liverpool have possession. Klopp can counter that by having Georginio Wijnaldum perform the same role as Milner – the two often swap position – or even having Naby Keita do something similar.
Exploit space wide
Chilwell loves to get forward, while Pereira is a winger who played as a full-back for Porto and also has fun in advanced positions. He has started as right-winger in two games so far for Leicester, providing extra defensive cover on the right.
Puel may decide to limit the full-backs’ attacking movement. Demarai Gray and whoever starts wide right, probably Pereira, will be expected to protect against the runs of Robertson and Alexander-arnold, while pinging up the pitch the second Leicester win a turnover.
Liverpool will have more of the ball – their average possession is 66 per cent this season – while Leicester will hope they can show more of the fluid, shortpassing game seen in the defeat by United if they are to create chances before Liverpool’s intense pressing wins back possession.