Leicester City were beaten 6-3 by Manchester City on Boxing Day, and will now play against Liverpool at King Power Stadium just two days later.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers describes the match setup as ridiculous.
– The schedule is ridiculous. I think we all know that, Rodgers said during his press conference before the meeting with Jürgen Klopp’s crew.
– The players are not fully recovered after 72 hours, so it is only foolish that we will play against Liverpool on Tuesday. However, we must play the game, admitted a resigned Rodgers.
– There will be virtually no physical training on Monday. It will only be recovery training, and then we will see some video clips to prepare for the match.
Liverpool players will undoubtedly have healthier legs, as the Reds’ match against Leeds on Christmas Day 2 was postponed due to a coronation outbreak in the Leeds squad.
–
The match on Christmas Day 4 will be Liverpool’s first since they just beat Leicester in a penalty shootout in the league cup quarter-final before Christmas. Rodgers was asked if he thinks Liverpool will have the advantage of having had almost a week without a game.
– Obviously. It will have enormous significance, the Leicester manager replied.
– It is completely coincidental that it has become like this. They have not played all week and will be healthy and fast. Liverpool have not played since our cup match against them, and they will be able to bring in other players. But we just have to deal with this. It will be a big challenge for us, but we will fight with everything we have.
– Liverpool is a top, top team. One of the best teams in the world. They will not change much in their system, but they will use completely different players, Rodgers said with reference to the league cup match.
Leicester have many injuries
Leicester have to do without Ryan Bertrand against Liverpool, due to a knee injury he suffered against Manchester City, and must also check if Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi are ready to fight. Rodgers took no risk with the latter two, and left them out over the match against City on Christmas Day 2, due to hoarding problems.
Leicester also have Ricardo Pereira (leg), Patson Daka (hoarding) and Caglar Soyuncu (hoarding) out with injuries. The match against Liverpool also comes too early for Harvey Barnes, Jonny Evans, Danny Ward, James Justin and Wesley Fofana.
Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored in the loss to City, is still looking forward to a new meeting with Liverpool.
– We look forward to the match, he says to LCFC TV.
– We played against them in the league cup recently, and it was a good match, but we lost. We hope to do better in the Premier League, and get points from the match.
– When you meet a team like Liverpool, you know how they play, and you know their players. You know their weaknesses and how to attack them. Hopefully we can give them a fight.
– We delivered a good performance at Anfield, and we hope to do the same at King Power Stadium.
Leicester beat Liverpool 3-1 at King Power Stadium last season, and are in scoring form now as well, having scored 10 goals in their last three games in all competitions.
– After beating them at home last season, you have good faith that you will be able to do it again. Liverpool is a good team, so we have to be strong and deliver good finishes. We are ready. My confidence is in order after I scored against City. Hopefully we end the year strong at home, and get the points we need, says Iheanacho.
–
