MatchLiverpool v Leicester City: Team news

The Reds will conclude their 2022 fixtures by taking on Brendan Rodgers’ side at Anfield and centre-back Konate is available after he returned to training earlier in the week following France’s World Cup campaign.

Jürgen Klopp has no fresh fitness issues to contend with but appears set to again be without Roberto Firmino, Curtis Jones and James Milner, who all missed the 3-1 win at Aston Villa on Boxing Day through injury.

“No new injury problems after the [Villa] game, not that a lot would come back for the [Leicester] game apart from Ibou,” Klopp said, during Thursday’s pre-match press conference.

“He is now training with us, he will be available now as well. So, positive for this moment but we know it will be a tough game.”

Cody Gakpo’s debut will come in the New Year, with the Netherlands forward to officially become a Liverpool player at the start of the January transfer window, while Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur Melo are long-term absentees.

Leicester, meanwhile, will continue to be without James Maddison for the trip to Anfield, with the midfielder ruled out due to a knee issue.

Dennis Praet is also a confirmed absentee after he was forced off during the Foxes’ defeat at home by Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

Rodgers reported ‘no more’ fresh fitness concerns when he spoke to the media to preview the contest on Wednesday, though Ryan Bertrand, Jonny Evans, James Justin and Ricardo Pereira are sidelined.

“Very much the same identity; will want to press, be aggressive, counter-pressing, all those aspects of the game you’ve seen over the last numbers of years to be there,” said Rodgers of what he expects from his former side.

“And obviously playing at home – home or away – they want to create and score goals. Always a difficult game, nobody knows that more than myself, at Anfield.

“But it’s a great challenge. Looking at the Newcastle disappointment for us, it was disappointing but challenges are there to be overcome and this is a great opportunity for us to get out there in a fantastic game.”

Last match

Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool (December 26): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Nunez.

Leicester 0-3 Newcastle (December 26): Ward, Castagne, Amartey, Faes, Thomas, Tielemans, Soumare, Praet, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes, Daka.

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