Liverpool returned to Premier League action on Boxing Day with a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa and this means the club have won three league matches on the spin for the first time this season and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to carry more momentum into 2023 by defeating Leicester City tonight.
Despite the win over Villa, Klopp’s front three didn’t quite click how he would have hoped beforehand. Darwin Nunez led the line, flanked by Mohamed Salah on the right and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left, yet the Uruguayan and the Englishman were poor, averaging Sofascore ratings of 5.7 and 6.1 respectively.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was particularly unimpressive, failing to register a single shot during the tie while failing with any of his four dribble attempts and it’s clear Klopp requires a different solution tonight.
On the Chalkboard
Harvey Elliott replaced the 29-year-old on Monday evening; however, the German should certainly consider unleashing him against Leicester tonight in order to provide a more significant attacking threat.
Elliott has played 15 league matches so far this term for the Anfield side, scoring once and averaging a rating of 6.81/10 as per Sofascore.
The 19-year-old has been given more opportunities by Klopp this season, featuring in 24 games across all competitions, even impressing in the Champions League, scoring two goals from six matches.
His potential is limitless and his recent performances have led football writer Leanne Prescott to sing his praises in October, saying: “There’s such a genuine buzz around Harvey Elliott. No matter where he is on the pitch, he makes things happen. Has assumed lots of responsibility given injuries, but works hard & never hides.”
The youngster averages 1.3 shots and 0.9 key passes per game and compared to Oxlade-Chamberlain (zero shots and 0.5 key passes per match) it’s clear who possesses the better attacking threat.
Although Elliott is usually deployed through the middle, he can operate on the left wing. With Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota still out through injury, Klopp should unleash the Englishman this evening as he could offer something different going forward.