Liverpool will be looking to continue their winning form in the Premier League when they host Leicester City on Friday evening.
After their 3-1 win at Aston Villa, where Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Stefan Bajcetic all got on the scoresheet, Liverpool have had a four-day rest ahead of a big clash against Brendan Rodgers' Foxes. The game will be the Reds' first at Anfield in 48 days, with the last being the 3-1 victory over Southampton before the World Cup break.
And there is even a chance that new signing Cody Gakpo could be unveiled to the Liverpool faithful before the match or at half-time. However, the Holland forward will not be part of Jurgen Klopp's squad for the game itself given the January transfer window does not open until Sunday.
Roberto Firmino and James Milner remain out after picking up injuries last week, joining the likes of Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur on the sidelines. So, despite all those absentees, can the Reds make it four wins on the spin in the Premier League on Friday night?
Using FIFA 23 and updating the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions, we simulated the game to predict the score.
Liverpool vs Leicester City score predicted by simulation
We predict that the Reds could line-up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their team as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Keita, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Carvalho.
We predict that Leicester could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ward; Castagne, Amartey, Faes, Thomas; Tielemans, Ndidi; Perez, Dewsbury-Hall, Iheanacho; Vardy.
Liverpool were in complete control in the early stages with Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Trent Alexander-Arnold all going close. But the Foxes kept the score at 0-0 heading into the half-time interval with former Reds goalkeeper Danny Ward making some excellent saves. The hosts continued to win the midfield battle after the break, though, and Naby Keita played a pivotal role when they took the lead after 62 minutes.
Back to his best, Fabinho broke up a Leicester attack on the halfway line to send Liverpool forward in numbers. After finding Keita on the right, the midfielder surged forward before finding Nunez in a pocket of space inside the box, and after poking the ball around the defender, the striker powered his effort into the far corner to make it 1-0.
Nunez and Keita both hit the post in quick succession following the goal as the Reds looked to double their advantage. With the Foxes non-existent as an attacking force, the pressure continued to mount from Klopp's side, and Harvey Elliott confirmed the victory in the 83rd minute.
Salah skipped past his marker about 30 yards from goal before charging down the right and kick-starting an attack for the Reds. As the Egyptian reached the byline he pulled a pass back to Elliott just inside the box, and the 19-year-old curled his shot around his marker and into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
FIFA 23 predicts: Liverpool 2-0 Leicester City
Here are the full-time match stats:
FIFA 23 predicts that Liverpool will continue their winning ways in the Premier League on Friday, winning 2-0 in the simulation. Keita and Fabinho starred in a dominant midfield display.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments.
READ NEXT:
