Leicester on the Brink as Liverpool Look to Push Them Over the Edge | OneFootball

Liverpool Poised to Relegate Leicester in Final Premier League Push

Liverpool’s upcoming clash with Leicester City carries extra weight—and not just in terms of points. As discussed in the Scouted Podcast on AnfieldIndex, Karl Matchett and Dave Hendrick laid bare the stakes: not only could Liverpool edge closer to a Premier League title under Arne Slot, but they could also seal Leicester’s fate with relegation.

Reality Check for Leicester City

“This is like winning two titles,” joked Hendrick. “We get to relegate Leicester City this weekend and we get to win the Premier League next weekend.” That biting line sets the tone for what is shaping up to be a one-sided affair. Leicester’s form is abysmal. According to Hendrick, “This is one of the more embarrassing seasons anyone has had.” He noted their inability to register home goals: “Eight home games without scoring. 27 goals on the season.”

Leicester’s results back up the narrative. Hendrick revealed, “In their last 17 games, they have scored six goals.” He even added, “This is actually like their second-best run of form since Rudi [van Nistelrooy] took over.” The underlying issue, Matchett believes, isn’t just poor form—it’s leadership: “This is all Leicester’s ownership’s fault. This is not Rudi’s fault.”

Tactical Tweaks and Team Selection

Despite Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to training, Matchett ruled out his involvement this weekend: “It comes a little bit too soon for Trent.” Instead, Conor Bradley is expected to start at right-back, with Kostas Tsimikas tipped to replace Robertson: “Kostas deserves to start after last week’s games. Robbo has been absolutely tragic.”

At centre-back, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté will line up, but both “need to significantly up the levels,” said Hendrick. As for midfield, Matchett is in favour of continuity: “I would keep the same three… I don’t necessarily think it was down to that midfield trio… just people didn’t play well.”

There’s a case for Wataru Endo, but Hendrick conceded, “I know it won’t happen… probably the same midfield again.” In attack, Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz are expected to start, but the third forward remains in question. “Surely it has to be Cody,” suggested Matchett. Hendrick added, “Jota has been so bad… Robertson’s performances have allowed Jota’s performances to be glossed over.”

Matchett even floated a wildcard: “I’d really like to see Kaide Gordon start through the middle… if you can’t do it against Leicester, then what else is happening?”

Score Predictions and Expectations

Liverpool previously beat Leicester 3-1 at Anfield on Boxing Day. Matchett reminded listeners: “They did go one-nil up through Ayew, but Cody scored just before half-time, Curtis just after, and Mo wrapped it all up on 82 minutes.”

Leicester, meanwhile, haven’t managed a league goal since January. “They are due to score a goal,” noted Hendrick, “and that normally means we gift them a goal.” Still, both contributors back Liverpool to cruise: Hendrick predicted 4-1, while Matchett went for a 3-0 scoreline.

Despite defensive worries, Leicester’s toothless attack offers some comfort. Hendrick laid it out plainly: “They have scored six goals in 17 games. They did get five in Rudi’s first results, and that was it.”

Final Word

In a game brimming with narrative, Liverpool have the chance to inch closer to the Premier League title while simultaneously pushing Leicester towards the Championship. As Karl Matchett put it, this is a match where “about 50 minutes in it’s 1-0 to us, we’re not looking particularly good,” but in the end, Leicester’s frailties and Liverpool’s superior quality are expected to show.