Predicted XI

Fabinho now injured - How Liverpool could line-up against Leicester

In a crucial game in the race for Champions League football, Jurgen Klopp will be without yet another defensive option

 
12:45pm on Friday 12th February 2021
By
Cameron Smith

Liverpool's defensive injuries have plagued a season that promised so much, but with January arrivals Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies now at the club for over a week, it could be time for Jurgen Klopp to use them.

Kabak is the bigger name, and arguably the better player, and is the more likely of the two to start in a crucial game against Champions League qualification rivals Leicester City.

If Kabak is handed his debut, then it will likely be in place of Fabinho, who has a slight muscle tear which he suffered this week.

The Brazilian is now invaluable at centre-back but has joined an injury list which includes Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, all of whom remain long-term absentees.

Trent Alexander-Arnold isn't having his best campaign in a Liverpool shirt, but he and Andy Robertson are still the best full-back pairing in the world on their day, and against Leicester, they'll have to be on their game.

Despite his catastrophic performance against Manchester City, Alisson is still first-choice and will be looking to make amends on Saturday.

With Jordan Henderson likely to play in defence again due to Fabinho's injury, a midfield three of Gini Wijnaldum, Curtis Jones, and Thiago should remain.

Roberto Firmino may have scored six Premier League goals this season, but the Brazilian has displayed time and time again how goals aren't all he brings, and with Takumi Minamino loaned to Southampton and Divock Origi simply not good enough, it's obvious that Firmino will start.

Either side of him with be the missing pieces of the infamous front three, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Mane hasn't yet reached the levels of last year, but when the Senegal international is firing, Liverpool usually win.

The same could be said for the Premier League's top scorer, Salah, who'll be looking to add to his 16 league goals against the Foxes.

Liverpool predicted XI against Leicester

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