Cody Gakpo says Liverpool want no further motivation to win at Leicester Metropolis as they purpose to stretch their lead on the high of the Premier League desk.
The Reds stretched their unbeaten run to 21 video games in all competitions with their gorgeous 6-3 thrashing of Tottenham final Sunday, getting again to profitable methods after their draw with Fulham per week earlier than.
Liverpool sit 4 factors clear on the high of the desk with a recreation in hand, and Gakpo admitted the gamers are having fun with the relentless nature of the fixture checklist with a lot to play for.
“I believe no one can watch for it,” Gakpo mentioned. “We’re wanting to go on the market once more and to win the sport. That’s our purpose.
“There’s no further motivation wanted. We all know what our targets are this season in each competitors and meaning we have to win the video games.
“I just like the rhythm – simply recreation after recreation after recreation. And clearly, now we’re in a very good second, it’s extra pleasant. Each soccer participant goals of enjoying as many video games as attainable.”
Subsequent up, the Reds return to Anfield to tackle the Foxes #LIVLEI pic.twitter.com/LBNRYeMTYV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 24, 2024
Ruud van Nistelrooy gained his first two video games in control of Leicester however has now misplaced the earlier two, struggling a heavy 3-0 defeat to Wolves final trip.
It leaves them simply two factors above the relegation zone, they usually may very well be with out striker Jamie Vardy, who has netted six Premier League targets this season, as a consequence of a knock.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman isn’t shying away from the robust job forward of him.
“The squad is sweet [after the Wolves defeat], they’re advantageous. We all know what place we’re in,” he mentioned.
“The outcomes from the 4 video games, there are some positives. The final two are losses, however we have a look at the larger image and we glance forward.
“We all know it’s going to be an extended season the place we’re preventing till the tip to indicate we should play on this league.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has scored 99 targets in 141 dwelling video games within the Premier League (two for Chelsea, 97 for Liverpool). If he scores, he’ll develop into the eighth participant to attain 100+ on dwelling soil within the competitors, and fourth-fastest, after Alan Shearer (91 apps), Thierry Henry (113), and Sergio Aguero (125).
No present Premier League participant has been concerned in additional targets (six) or offered extra assists (4) on Boxing Day than him.
Leicester Metropolis – Jamie Vardy
Vardy has scored eight Premier League targets in opposition to Liverpool, with solely Andrew Cole (11) and Harry Kane (9) netting extra in opposition to the Reds within the competitors.
On the age of 37 years and 350 days, Vardy would even be the oldest participant to attain a Premier League purpose in opposition to Liverpool with a purpose on this recreation, if he’s match sufficient to play.
Christmas Eve coaching pic.twitter.com/SH6UrFu0Pb
— Leicester Metropolis (@LCFC) December 24, 2024
MATCH PREDICTION: LIVERPOOL WIN
Liverpool are unbeaten of their final 12 Premier League dwelling video games in opposition to Leicester (W10 D2), since shedding three in a row between 1997 and 2000.
Leicester, in the meantime, have gained simply two of their final 12 Premier League video games in opposition to Liverpool (D1 L9). They’ve had three runs of three consecutive defeats on this run (together with a present one), however they haven’t misplaced 4 straight league video games in opposition to the Reds since between 1987 and 1996.
The Reds are unbeaten of their final 21 matches in all competitions (W18 D3). It’s their longest run with out defeat since a streak of 25 between April and November 2021, and their longest inside a single season since a run of 24 between January and Might 1989.
And so they have gained their final seven league video games performed on Boxing Day, the longest present run amongst any aspect in England’s high 4 tiers, and the Reds’ longest-ever such run.
They’ve fared a lot better than Leicester, who’ve gained simply certainly one of their final 10 Boxing Day league video games (D2 L7), with that coming in 2018-19 in opposition to eventual champions Manchester Metropolis.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Liverpool – 82.6%
Draw – 10.6%
Leicester Metropolis – 6.8%
