Liverpool fared pretty well in their first match against a top four rival this season, firing in four wonderful goals to open their Premier League campaign with a victory. Jurgen Klopp will want that big-match performance to come to the fore again when Liverpool host Leicester City at Anfield on Saturday.
While much of the focus, understandably, is on the Manchester derby, this Liverpool vs Leicester City encounter has all the makings of a Premier League classic. Both teams like to attack, and that too quickly. If they find any space in behind this could turn out to be another high-scoring match, much like the 4-3 against Arsenal at the Emirates on the opening weekend.
Klopp, of course, will not want to see his side concede any goals, and while he will be happy if Liverpool hit four again, he will also know that is unlikely to happen against Claudio Ranieri's men, who, after a slow start, have picked their form up.
"Leicester is still good, still lively, still aggressive, well organised," Klopp said. "Their one big strength is the counterattack, they're very direct. You have to prepare for this, it's not about pressing in their build-up because they don't give you that opportunity but they don't defend that deep.
"They played last year here like this. One of their biggest qualities is that they stick to their plan. It's not their only plan because they really can play football – give [Riyad] Mahrez the ball and it's not a counterattack then."
Liverpool have had a unique start to the new season in the sense that they are yet to play a home game. Owing to the Main Stand being refurbished, Klopp's men had to play three matches in a row, but now, with a spanking new stand in place and a lot more supporters able to pour in, Liverpool will want to give the home supporters plenty to cheer.
"We're the only team to have three away Premier League games, so now we start with a home game," Klopp added. "After this first international break, this is our base and I think it's a wonderful opportunity for us."
Leicester, like Liverpool, have won one, drawn one and lost one, and what they will look to is the fact that, while it has taken a while, they finally picked up a win, a 2-1 result over Swansea City, when they looked a lot like their old self. With Jamie Vardy finding his scoring touch, maybe the striker has another wonder goal in him, having scored one of the best of the season against Liverpool last February.
Where to Watch Live
Liverpool vs Leicester is scheduled for a 10 p.m. IST (5.30 p.m. BST, 12.30 p.m. ET) start. TV and Live Streaming information is below.
India: TV: Star Sports Select HD2 and Star Sports 2. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
UK: TV: BT Sport 1. Live streaming: BT Sports live stream.
Australia: TV: Optus Sport. Live Streaming: Optus Online.
Canada: TV: TSN. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
USA: TV: NBCSN. Live Streaming: NBC live.
Malaysia: TV: Astro SuperSport. Singapore: TV: Eleven.
Thailand, Middle East: TV: Bein Sports.
