Liverpool will take on Leicester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, looking to continue their impressive run of form.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have been in excellent form so far, and they are unbeaten in the league so far. Liverpool will be the favourites heading into the EFL Cup third-round contest against Leicester City, and the fans will be expecting a comprehensive victory at home.
In addition, Liverpool have an excellent record against Leicester City at home. So, the Merseyside outfit will be confident of booking their place in the fourth round of the competition.
Meanwhile, Leicester City have seven wins from eight matches in the EFL Championship, and they will look to pull off an upset at Anfield. Both teams are full of confidence right now, and they will be aiming for a win here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News and Tactics
Liverpool
We’re live as Pep Lijnders previews tomorrow’s #CarabaoCup third-round tie with Leicester City 🎙️#LIVLEI https://t.co/m8anwazmay
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 26, 2023
Thiago Alcantara is the only injury worry for the home side here. He is still recovering from his groin injury and will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, Jurgen Klopp has a full-strength squad at his disposal.
The Reds are likely to start in a 4-3-3 formation, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal. Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out offensively as well as protect the central defence. Joel Matip should start in central defence alongside Virgil van Dijk.
As for the midfield unit, Wataru Endo will start as the defensive midfielder. He will look to break up opposition attacks. Ryan Gravenberch and Stefan Bajcetic are set to start as well, with the latter helping out Endo defensively.
Cody Gakpo will likely lead the line for the Reds, with Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota on either side of him. So, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will get some rest, while the decision means Darwin Nunez will now become the first-choice striker.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Matip, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Bajcetic, Endo, Gravenberch; Elliott, Gakpo, Jota
Leicester City
Enzo Maresca has a near-fully fit squad at his disposal ahead of the trip to Anfield. Thomas Cannon and Dennis Praet are the only absentees for the visitors, with the duo recovering from their respective back injuries.
Jakub Stolarczyk is likely to start in goal for the Foxes, who should line up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him. Ricardo Pereira and James Justin will start as the full-backs, with the duo charging forward at will. At the heart of the defence, Wout Faes should start alongside Jannik Vestergaard.
Getting Carabao Cup ready 💪 🔵 pic.twitter.com/rPaA3NyvJB
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 26, 2023
As for the midfield unit, Wilfred Ndidi, linked with Liverpool in the summer, will hold the fort for the away side. Cesare Casadei and Harry Winks should support the Nigerian midfielder, looking to put pressure on the Liverpool midfielders.
Finally, Kelechi Iheancho will lead the line for the visitors, with Stephy Mavididi and Yunus Akgun being the two wide men. But Maresca will have a lot of firepower on the bench, including veteran striker Jamie Vardy.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Stolarczyk; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin; Casadei, Ndidi, Winks; Akgun, Iheanacho, Mavididi
Key Stats
- Leicester City have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six EFL Cup games, with the exception being a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United last season.
- Liverpool have won 17 of their last 18 League Cup ties against sides from a lower division, the exception being a penalty shootout defeat to Northampton Town in September 2010 under Roy Hodgson.
- Leicester City are winless in their last 13 away games against Liverpool in all competitions (D3 L10).
- Only Manchester City (6) have beaten Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool more often than Leicester City (5) since the German tactician took charge.
- Liverpool have progressed from two of their three League Cup meetings with Leicester City, failing only in 2017/18. They’ve ended up reaching the final on both previous occasions they’ve beaten the Foxes (1986/87 and 2021/22).
Player to Watch
Diogo Jota
The Portuguese international is our player to watch out for this midweek from the EFL Cup third-round clash between Liverpool and Leicester City. Jota managed to get on the scoresheet against West Ham United this past weekend, and he will look to add to his tally here.
The Liverpool forward will help create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates and get on the scoresheet himself. With the competition for places becoming more intense by the day, Jota will know he needs to capitalise on every opportunity.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Leicester City
The home side are firm favourites heading into this game, and they will look to grind out a comfortable win at Anfield. Leicester City are in impressive form as well, and they will look to make life difficult for the opposition.
This is likely to be a close contest but the Reds have enough quality in depth, and they should be able to edge this one. A narrow 2-1 win for Liverpool is on the cards, but the away side should give the Reds a run for their money.