Dugout Discussion

Leicester v Liverpool team news: Vardy, van Dijk and Tsimikas start, bench for Tielemans

Following the rare sight of weekday 15:00 (GMT) kick-offs, Tuesday’s action concludes at the King Power Stadium when Leicester City host Liverpool.

Kick-off is at 20:00 (GMT).

Liverpool have made five changes from the 11 that played nine days ago at Tottenham Hotspur. Their Boxing Day match with Leeds United was postponed, giving more time for Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho to recover from Covid-19 and return to the line-up.

There are no shocks regarding much-owned trio Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota – all three start tonight, as do Sadio Mane and Alisson.

Their three-man midfield has changed completely, with Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joining Fabinho in replacing Naby Keita, Tyler Morton and James Milner. The final change sees Kostas Tsimikas step in for the suspended Andrew Robertson.

Takumi Minamino and Thiago miss out with minor muscle soreness, whilst Divock Origi still hasn’t recovered from a knee problem. Sat amongst the substitutes are Roberto Firmino and Ibrahima Konate.

Things are trickier for Leicester, as the hosts are without the likes of Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka and Ricardo Pereira. All are joined on the injury list by Caglar Soyuncu and Ryan Bertrand, as confirmed by Brendan Rodgers:

“Patson [Daka] will be three weeks, Soyuncu will be out for three weeks and Ricardo Pereira will be six to eight weeks. That’s so frustrating for him with how hard he has worked. It’s a fractured fibula and he’s lucky it’s not worse. Ryan (Bertrand) twisted his knee in the warm-up, which was disappointing.”

Unlike Liverpool, the Foxes played just two days ago and had to manage the minutes of Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi accordingly. Both start here, with Timothy Castagne replacing Marc Albrighton at right-back.

In-form James Maddison is chosen for the sixth consecutive time, having returned four double-digit hauls in his last five games. The 53 points of this spell average out at 10.6 per match, linking up well with Kelechi Iheanacho during a strong second half at Manchester City.

Yet their defence conceded six times on Sunday and Salah captainers will relish the sight of Daniel Amartey and midfielder Ndidi being paired at centre-back in the absence of Soyuncu and Jonny Evans. There is only a place on the bench for Youri Tielemans, as Hamza Choudhury makes his second league start of the season.


GAMEWEEK 20 LINE-UPS

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Castagne, Amartey, Ndidi, Thomas; Dewsbury-Hall, Soumare, Choudhury; Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy

Substitutes: Ward, Daley-Campbell, Nelson, Vestergaard, Albrighton, McAteer, Tielemans, Lookman, Pérez

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mane

Substitutes: Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Jones, Beck, Williams

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2,337 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    ESR > Dewsbury hall is looking like a half decent move..

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Top move

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Won't get to play Liverpool every week...

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Lol

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      No.

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      1 gameweek too late

    5. Bod
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

  2. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Like watching Newcastle last night. Home team hungrier for the ball.

  3. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Jota being Jota when I own him

    1. Kodap
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Why is it always because you own him? Every single Liverpool player has looked poor

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        He's completely deluded. Thinks that he is cursed by bad luck and does everything he can to attract sympathy.

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          But what it attracts more than anything is you ha

          1. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Somebody has to highlight what an attention seeker you are.

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Because he's scored 6 in his last 7, I brought him in for a hit and he's not even hit the target

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      You could have warned me you were bringing him in ffs

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        I posted it on here several times to give you all warning and everyone advised me to do it as I'd make the hit back staright away with him lol

  4. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Jota isn't that tall but still manages to get a lot of headers in. Fabulous!

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      That was a poor effort though.

      1. 4-4-who?
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Better than Mane who almost hit the corner flag with his effort - lol

  5. Mr Arsenal
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Arsenal may well be City’s biggest rivals this year

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Gunners going to CL.

    2. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Lol

  6. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Did Maddison injury look bad? Missed the injury but looks like he walked off fine

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Commentator said calf or cramp, no idea otherwise.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Cramp or hammy, Rodgers might mention after.

      Going off with cramp would be unusual.

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      It's Maddison though, likely out for two months

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        if you say out for two months, he'll probably start with Norwich lol

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          And score!

  7. 4-4-who?
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Salah still bossing the (c) poll

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Si

  8. fantasist
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Now grateful for Ronaldo's 1pt captain last GW.

  9. King Carlos
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Salah (C), TAA, Jota. Kinda like Liverpool.

    1-0 to Leicester.

    This is why I LOVE FOOTBALL!

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yep great sport, no other sport throws up so many surprises

  10. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    7pts from 5 with Salah (c)

    Anyone worse?

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      5 from 5

      1. Kellz86
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Oooof excuses

  11. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Teilmans could be an option with the maddy injury

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Will Barnes play?

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Nacho and Lookman potentials.

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      shhhhhhh keep this to yourself lol people might still buy maddison

  12. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Still pretty didsapointed as a Jota and Trent owner

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Why? Both have pretty much 100% EO

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Imagine having Salah (C) Jota Trent & Maddison 🙂

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        o/ 🙂

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Two irrelevant players.

    4. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Everyone ownes them. Unless you capped?

  13. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Dewsbury Hall has shown great composure today.If regular he’s gonna be the best 4.5 mid by a mile

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      4.4 actually

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Problem is it's still pointless playing

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Stupid script cut off the "sub" 5 midfielders but my comment stands lol

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I thought he was poor in his last few outings. Looked way out his depth. Better today but not sure he has FPL returns in him.

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      what is that? A Downton Abbey spin off?

  14. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Who knew, in this season of all seasons, that captaining Salah could be so depressing?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      His first time in yonks as a C differential too...

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly. Wouldn’t care usually but barely any of my ML rivals have captained him, remarkably

  15. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Quite tempted to delete my team

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Is it possible? I'm trying.

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Ayyyy noooo Biffiiii noooo

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      If your linked team is correct go for it

  16. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Let's go Jota!

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Vamossssss Hotaaaa

  17. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    The only consolation four sour looser that I am is that with this penalty midds and loss LFC most likely lost title challenge this year.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Why would a Pole hate Liverpool? 😆

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Don't like competition when it comes to stealing alloys...

    2. Dennis System
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Haha drink feck arrrse

  18. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Captaincy is going to be pretty split next GW, going to be interesting

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Sticking with Son

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Split between Son and Kane?

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Ronaldo back on the menu after Thursday?

    4. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Watkins (c) I think

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Could have a double

    5. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Kane for sure

    6. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I’m looking forward to another round of Salah captainers moaning about how lucky people who captained someone they thought might do better than Salah are.

    7. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Son Ronaldo Kane Maddison (if fit) Watkins (if DGW)

    8. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Son unless Ron explodes which is unlikely

  19. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Liverpool have been taking classes from the Chelsea school of finishing.

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    0 from my C!

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      No way!

  21. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Will REguilon stert next game?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Who knows

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      i think it was just here have a rest, dont get a red card, doherty do soemthing before I sell you moment

  22. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    What will Klopp complain about today?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Leicester crowd too loud.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        😆

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Fixture schedule. Jose wrote the book, Klopp just follows it

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, there won’t be something about not getting enough rest though. Wonder what it will be.

  23. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Mané MOTM so far.

    1. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      For Leicester.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly

  24. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    There must be a few who rotated to Ronaldo then back to Salah with all the transfers involved.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      No transfers to get it but keeping both still annoying.

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Me. Big mistake. Live and learn.

      1. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        What did you learn here that you can use in the future?

  25. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Congrats to anyone who C'd Son, Jota, TAA or Kane. Or even CR.

    1. fusen
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      So just people who sold Salah last week then?

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yes.

  26. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    This game haha my ml Rival hasn't made a transfer or moved his captain of cancelo for the last 3 game weeks and played each one with no more than 8 players I've made transfers and had 11 players playing each week and he some how manages to outscore me every time so frustrating!

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Plus he's had a stress free christmas

  27. Life_Ban
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    #Patch

    Played a stellar hand and played Amartey as lost Robertson to the bench

    Capped Son with VC on Salah

  28. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    TAA getting frustrated here

  29. Walter White (WW)
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Amartey & Ndidi playing like Chiellini & Bonucci

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Maldini & Baresi*

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Paverotti

  30. 4-4-who?
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Ref has TAA in his team, hence no yellow there