Slot drops defender despite 'outstanding' display at Spurs: Liverpool's Boxing Day predicted XI vs Leicester

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While supporters around the world enjoy the Christmas festivities, Liverpool players are gearing up for another big game.

The Reds got back to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday, thumping Tottenham Hotspur 6-3 to move four points clear at the top of the table.

With their title rivals in action on Thursday and Friday, Liverpool have another chance to send out a statement as they take on Leicester City at Anfield.

Liverpool have a good record of Boxing Day fixtures and with Leicester struggling to get going under Ruud van Nistelrooy the Reds should be confident. Here’s the XI we expect Arne Slot to send out.

Defence

If there was one question mark over Liverpool’s display at Spurs on Sunday it was that they were a little too loose in defence.

As a result of that – and the fact that the Reds play again on Sunday – we think Slot will change things up in the back five against Leicester.

One man who will stay involved will be Alisson Becker who is still looking for a first Premier League clean sheet since making his return from injury.

Virgil van Dijk will be hoping to help him do that, while Trent Alexander-Arnold should retain his place, too. But we expect to see two changes in the backline with Sunday’s trip to West Ham in mind.

Joe Gomez was ‘outstanding’ against Tottenham but has started the last six. As a result, we think Slot will be minded to give Jarell Quansah a run out while Liverpool wait for Ibrahima Konate to return.

At left-back, a fit again Kostas Tsimikas should ease the burden on Andy Robertson.

Midfield

Slot will no doubt be wary of making too many changes against Leicester, but rotation will be key given another testing away game is on the horizon.

After putting in such a lung-busting effort against Spurs, we think Dominik Szoboszlai should be rested from the start here, with Curtis Jones coming in to fill his spot.

READ MORE: How many times Liverpool have won the Premier League after being top on Christmas Day

Slot needs to be careful with Ryan Gravenberch, who will miss the West Ham game if he picks up a booking in this one. But Gravenberch should be trusted again regardless.

As ever, Alexis Mac Allister, fresh from his 26th birthday on Tuesday, should complete the midfield trio.

Attack

Luis Diaz showed that he can be Liverpool’s starting centre-forward with another terrific central display against Tottenham.

However, we think Diaz will return to his more natural left-sided berth for Leicester, with Cody Gakpo making way for Diogo Jota.

Darwin Nunez could also be considered, but it feels like the time to finally throw Jota in for a first start since October the 20th.

Federico Chiesa will hopefully be back in the squad, but with Mohamed Salah in the form of his life, there is no reason to take the Egyptian King out for this one.