Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson feels his old club face a tough task of keeping Jamie Vardy at bay when they face Leicester on Sunday.
The reigning Premier League champions have been ravaged by injuries and go into the fixture with a number of regular first-team stars ruled out.
On top of long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Liverpool are also without Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and captain Jordan Henderson.
Jurgen Klopp was hopeful in the week that Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara would be fit to play a part, which could prove imperative to their chances.
Previewing the Anfield fixture, Lawrenson told BBC Sport : "Liverpool are short of fit centre-halves and they also need to find a way of dealing with Jamie Vardy’s pace.
“It may well be that they use Fabinho alongside Joel Matip at the back, if the Brazilian midfielder is fit after his hamstring injury, or ask Jordan Henderson to drop back into defence if Fabinho is not ready yet.
“Nat Phillips is a natural centre-half of course, but his real strength is heading and Leicester never really load the box and send in a lot of crosses.
“Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is out too and whether it is Neco Williams or James Milner who replaces him on Sunday, it will be as part of a back four that have never played a competitive game together as a unit before."
Who will win between Liverpool and Leicester? Have your say below.
Leicester are on a rich vein of form, having won their last six on the bounce, while Vardy has notched in each of his previous four appearances.
The 33-year-old striker also boasts an impressive record of scoring against Liverpool, netting seven times in 11 appearances in the Premier League, behind only Andy Cole and Thierry Henry.
Lawrenson forecast a 1-1 draw, adding: "Vardy is probably scenting blood. They will do very well to keep him quiet.”
