In a thrilling encounter at Anfield, Championship pace-setters Leicester City are set to face off against Liverpool in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
While Liverpool has yet to enter the competition, the Foxes have already secured victories against Burton Albion and Tranmere Rovers to earn their place in this fixture.
Match Preview:
Following back-to-back wins in the Premier League and Europa League, Liverpool continued their winning streak with a 3-1 victory over West Ham United.
The Reds showed resilience by not having to come from behind for a change.
Although West Ham gave them a scare with a goal, Liverpool sealed the win with goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.
With Arsenal and Tottenham dropping points in their recent matchups, Liverpool capitalized on the opportunity to climb to second place in the Premier League table, trailing only two points behind Manchester City.
Their impressive form suggests another exciting title battle between these two fierce rivals.
Liverpool has won their last six matches across all competitions, scoring at least two goals in each game.
Their unbeaten run extends to 18 competitive fixtures since their 4-1 defeat against Etihad in April.
As the nine-time winners of the EFL Cup, Liverpool aims to continue their success in the competition.
Leicester, however, faced a tough defeat against Hull City before the international break but bounced back with victories against Southampton, Norwich City, and Bristol City.
Jamie Vardy’s penalty secured a 1-0 win against Bristol City, and the striker showcased his enduring skill with an energetic celebration.
While Leicester aims to maintain their strong form in the Championship, they hope to avoid another third-round exit in the EFL Cup.
The Foxes had their hopes crushed by Liverpool in a penalty-shootout loss during the quarter-finals of the 2021-22 campaign.
Team News:
Liverpool boasts a near fully-fit squad, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thiago Alcantara as the only concerns.
Alexander-Arnold may have a slim chance of returning for this match, but Klopp is unlikely to risk him in an EFL Cup tie.
Thiago is expected to return in October. Stefan Bajcetic, who missed the West Ham clash, should be available for selection.
Leicester will be without Dennis Praet and Tom Cannon due to back injuries. Left-back Callum Doyle suffered a knee injury against Bristol City and faces an extended period on the sidelines.
Conor Coady has recovered from a fractured foot and could potentially feature as a substitute.
Expected Lineups:
Liverpool:
Kelleher;
Bajcetic, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas;
Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch;
Doak, Gakpo, Jota
Leicester City:
Stolarczyk;
Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin;
Casadei, Ndidi, Winks;
Akgun, Iheanacho, Mavididi
Prediction:
Liverpool is in exceptional form and has been consistently scoring multiple goals in recent matches.
They are expected to continue their dominance against Leicester City, who may face a difficult challenge adjusting to Premier League opposition.
Therefore, we predict a comfortable 2-0 victory for Liverpool.
