Leicester City predicted line-up v Liverpool as Patson Daka starts amid three changes
Jakub Stolarczyk and Patson Daka could be handed their first starts of the season when Leicester City head to Premier League leaders Liverpool on Boxing Day.
Stolarczyk has been declared available for first-team selection for the first time this season, and if Mads Hermansen is not fit the Pole looks likely to take over from Danny Ward in goal. While Hermansen’s groin injury is improving, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s uncertainty means he may not be risked at Anfield.
Last season, Stolarczyk proved himself a more-than-able deputy to Hermansen. The 24-year-old played for the Under-21s last week, his first outing since breaking his foot in July, and van Nistelrooy has hinted that he would be preferred to Ward now he’s back fit.
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At the top of the pitch, City have another injury doubt in Jamie Vardy. With a home fixture against Manchester City following swiftly after the trip to Anfield, it seems unlikely the number nine will be risked.
In that case, Daka could make his first start of the season. The Zambian scored off the bench against West Ham on van Nistelrooy’s debut and has a big fan in the new City manager, who tried to sign him for PSV a couple of years ago.
A further change is expected in midfield. Harry Winks made his comeback from injury at the weekend and brought a cool head to City’s performance. He could make his first start under van Nistelrooy alongside Boubakary Soumare.
There is the potential for two more changes. Hamza Choudhury was used as an inverted right-back for the final stages against Wolves as van Nistelrooy utilised the formation from last term. To take Justin out of the firing line for a game, Choudhury could start.
In attacking midfield, Facundo Buonanotte will push for a starting place. But van Nistelrooy’s focus on being compact could see Jordan Ayew keep his spot for now.
City (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks; Ayew, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Daka. Subs from: Ward, Iversen, Faes, Okoli, Thomas, Choudhury, Cartwright, Skipp, Buonanotte, Golding, Alves, De Cordova-Reid, McAteer, Edouard.
