Liverpool Will Be Underdogs Against Leicester City

There have been many occasions at Anfield when the team in first place was expected to win against another struggling in mid-table, yet the roles have been reversed this time around with table-topping Leicester the favourites against Jurgen Klopp’s men on Boxing Day.

This has been a baffling season. Leicester are two points clear at the top, Jose Mourinho has been sacked after champions Chelsea slipped close to the relegation zone and the likes of Watford and Crystal Palace are pushing for European football next season.

Watford were rampant in their 3-0 destruction of Klopp’s men last time out and the desperation of Liverpool’s current plight is now beginning to be fully felt.

After some good early results, “The Klopp Effect” has worn off and fans are seeing how many gaps and weaknesses there are in this squad.

Leicester’s rise is one of the better stories in football recently. Supporters of other teams may want the best for their own clubs, but they are all fans of the game at heart and most neutrals do get sick and tired of the same teams winning the same trophies season after season.

Leicester aren’t minnows but in terms of transfer investment and wages — the things that seem to count — they really shouldn’t be where they are. It shows what can be done with the confidence that grows from winning and with a squad that’s totally committed.

Compare their efforts with Liverpool’s match at Watford last Sunday. It may have only been 3-0 but Klopp’s men got off lightly after a shocking performance. Liverpool’s boss looked utterly stunned. His side weren’t good enough in their 2-0 loss at Newcastle and 2-2 home draw with West Brom either but those matches were close and a late fightback was evident. He saw absolutely nothing at Watford.

Liverpool aren’t the only big-time strugglers. In the current form table they have seven points from the last six matches, placing them mid-table with both Manchester clubs and Chelsea.