Liverpoolvs.Leicester

The Foxes were slaughtered 3-0 at home by Wolverhampton Wanderers during their most recent affair, which Mads Hermansen (groin), Jakub Stolarczyk (fitness), Ricardo Pereira (thigh), Wilfred Ndidi (thigh) and Abdul Fatawu (knee) missed through injury.

Only Hermansen is thought to be in with a slight chance of coming back for Thursday, and Foxes fans will no doubt be crying out for his return after a Danny Ward disaster-class against Wolves.

The ex-Liverpool man was culpable for two of the visitors' efforts on the day, but if Hermansen is not back in time for the festive fixture, he should keep Daniel Iversen at bay for a shot at redemption against his old team.

Ward may be protected by three centre-backs instead of two this time, though, as Van Nistelrooy should not be averse to sacrificing an attacker for an extra defender at the home of the league leaders, especially given Leicester's shocking defensive record.

Caleb Okoli could be the beneficiary, linking arms with Wout Faes and Conor Coady at the back as Jannik Vestergaard drops out; the Dane was only on the field for 45 minutes against Wolves.

James Justin and Victor Kristiansen would therefore occupy wing-back positions either side of Boubakary Soumare and most likely Harry Winks, who replaced his old Tottenham Hotspur teammate Oliver Skipp at half time over the weekend.

Alterations in attack are not beyond the realm of possibility too, as Facundo Buonanotte will surely be considered for a recall alongside Bilal El Khannouss, one of Leicester's brighter players last time out.

However, one talismanic figure sure to reprise his role is evergreen striker Jamie Vardy, who is the highest documented scorer in games between Liverpool and Leicester, netting 10 times against the Reds.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Ward; Okoli, Coady, Faes; Justin, Winks, Soumare, Kristiansen; Buonanotte, El Khannouss; Vardy

Written by

Ben Knapton