League leaders Liverpool host Leicester City in the Premier League in the late Boxing Day kick-off this evening, with the hosts looking to extend their lead at the top.
Arne Slot’s side put in a brilliant performance in beating Tottenham 6-3 last time out, with that win bringing their lead to four points along with their game in hand.
And they now face a Leicester side that has been struggling for form of late, having lost 3-0 to Wolves last weekend in what was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s fourth game in charge.
The Foxes sit in 17th, just two points above of the relegation places, ahead of a run of fixtures that also includes games against Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Follow all the latest build-up and team news from Anfield below:
Liverpool vs Leicester LIVE
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Liverpool host Leicester City in the Premier League, with kick-off at 8pm | Live on Amazon Prime
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Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
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Leicester: Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks; El Khannous, Ayew, Mavididi; Daka
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GOAL! 5’ – Ayew spins to fire in deflected opener from close range (0-1)
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GOAL! 45+1’ – Gakpo bends in a brilliant equaliser right before the interval (1-1)
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GOAL! 48’ – Jones scores minutes after the restart to put Reds ahead (2-1)
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70’ – Gakpo thunders in another strike but Nunez ruled offside in buildup (2-1)
Liverpool FC 2 – 1 Leicester City FC
70’ – Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
21:30 , Karl Matchett
…two checks required, and the second is a confirmation – Nunez was just off as Salah laid it across. Stil 2-1 and Leicester earn a reprieve. More than three minutes to do that check.
70’ – Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
21:28 , Karl Matchett
Liverpool think they have a third – the offside flag is up. Nunez should have found the net, Gakpo did, after Salah’s cross was initially scuffed by the Uruguayan and landed at the Dutchman’s feet.
His thunderous finish beat defenders and goalkeeper on the line alike, but the flag was straight up. Another lengthy VAR check…
66’ – Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
21:25 , Karl Matchett
Stolarczyk called into action once more as a sweeping move sees Nunez played into the right channel and his first-time shot is on target – but blocked by the keeper’s outstretched arm.
Robertson’s corner is punched clear; Alexander-Arnold crosses from the opposite channel and Gakpo flicks a header goalwards, but it’s again saved.
Double sub for Leicester: Skipp and Buonanotte on for Winks and El Khannous.
62’ – Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
21:20 , Karl Matchett
A rare breakaway for Leicester and Mavididi finds Daka with a low cross from the left…but it’s a swing and a miss from the striker, who sees the ball bounce away off his standing leg instead of his shooting boot. An escape for Liverpool, who do only lead by the one despite this dominance.
A few subs starting to warm up and get ready to come on.
Richard Jolly’s latest:
“A quickfire double from Liverpool, with a goal either side of half-time, which could be seen as an example of pressure telling. Certainly Curtis Jones has shown a willingness to get into the box and got his reward with the second goal. Now Leicester face the problems of teams who score early and then concentrate on defence: can they switch gear when Liverpool no longer need to score?”
58’ – Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
21:17 , Karl Matchett
Yellow card for Vestergaard for a dreadfully obvious foul on Gakpo, who was surging through the middle once more. Robertson was also booked, possibly for asking for a card in the first place – not clear, but deserved if that’s the case.
Mac Allister has already got two assists tonight and wants a third here – great shape on the cross, but well-defended as Van Dijk looked to flick it into the corner.
54’ – Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
21:13 , Karl Matchett
A very lengthy VAR check across about three different phases of play, but the goal is good and stands and Liverpool are ahead.
And Leicester are taking their goal kicks quickly again.
Nunez thinks he’s in for a quick third, but Leicester’s man between the sticks reacts quickly this time, leaping off his line to punch clear inside his six-yard box.
GOAL! 48’ – Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
21:08 , Karl Matchett
Didn’t take long and was coming right from kick-off! Alexander-Arnold has a shot blocked, Liverpool keep going, Jones wins it back and feeds Salah, Mac Allister goes on the overlap and his instant low delivery is met by Jones who has continued his run – sidefooted past the keeper and it’s 2-1 to Liverpool.
46′ – Liverpool 1-1 Leicester
21:06 , Karl Matchett
Back underway and immediately a chance for Darwin Nunez, but he steers his shot over the bar after Gravenberch’s cut-back.
Moments later Vestergaard passes back to Stolarczyk but he misses his control and it rolls behind for a needless corner.
HT – Liverpool 1-1 Leicester
21:02 , Karl Matchett
So Liverpool back on level terms and Leicester couldn’t quite hold out until the break – but Arne Slot’s side will want a lot more still, as they look to go seven points clear at the top.
HT – Liverpool 1-1 Leicester
20:49 , Karl Matchett
There’s the halftime whistle and more disgruntled faces from those in red – 20 seconds added to the two minutes, despite the goal, and Gakpo was heading towards the penalty box once more down that left flank. He’s stunned, Van Dijk offers a questioning look at the referee, but they’re all heading into the dressing rooms.
All square at the break.
GOAL! 45+1’ – Liverpool 1-1 Leicester
20:47 , Karl Matchett
Arne Slot and the home crowd displeased over the time added – but they are much happier sixty seconds later!
Cody Gakpo skips infield past Justin’s challenge, lines up his strike…and bends it right into the top corner! Perfect effort and Liverpool are on level terms.
45’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:45 , Karl Matchett
Gakpo sprints infield, takes on Ayew and is taken out – yellow card. Another chance to deliver into the box and Robertson is taking this one, left-footed…it’s overhit and straight out of play.
Much better required second half for the home team, in set-piece delivery and in open play – but they’re within an inch or two of an equaliser before the break, as the ball is sent Salah’s way and he bends a brilliant shot past the keeper…and onto the crossbar.
Two minutes added on.
42’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:41 , Karl Matchett
Arne Slot just getting a bit animated now with the fourth official, as another Leicester player goes down to delay the taking of another goal kick. Every restart is taking a long time but the ref is so far showing no desire to speed matters up.
Salah now runs towards the box but he’s having very little luck one on one against Kristiansen so far.
Vestergaard wins another header and perhaps Liverpool need to offer something other than lots of crosses, which Nunez isn’t really winning many of.
Alexander-Arnold instead opts for a long-range shot…and skies his effort wildly off-target.
38’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:38 , Karl Matchett
More pressure, Leicester very deep right now. A deeper delivery sees Nunez head back across from the far post but nobody is running in to finish. Alexander-Arnold this time goes short from a corner and it ends in him finding Gomez…Leicester still stand firm.
The Foxes counter-attack and Gomez, running back, clips Daka’s heels – easy yellow card.
34’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:34 , Karl Matchett
Gakpo delivers deep for Salah but the No11 gets far too much on the ball, whacking it back across the face of goal. Another set piece for the Reds though and, yet again, Alexander-Arnold’s delivery is awful. Cleared by the first man.
Richard Jolly’s latest thoughts:
“Liverpool have struck the post twice and have attacked incessantly. It feels a test of how long Leicester can withstand the pressure. There are definitely some within Anfield who would say their approach to keeping their lead involves timewasting, but there is plenty of time left. Liverpool haven’t been helped by a couple of poor touches from Darwin Nunez so far.”
30’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:30 , Karl Matchett
Some big annoyance from Leicester fans as Daka goes down with a clip to the toe, and stays down. Leicester want the ball put out of play, Liverpool say no chance and continue to play. Eventually the ball is cleared and the referee blows his whistle to stop the game – now the home fans are enraged. Predictably, a few seconds later Daka is indeed back up and perfectly fine to continue.
A third of the match over and the league leaders trail to the team in 18th.
26’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:26 , Karl Matchett
So nearly an equaliser twice! Mac Allister and Nunez combine, Salah clips a shot off the heels of Kristiansen and it loops over Stolarczyk…and onto the roof of the net! Another Alexander-Arnold corner is poor but the next delivery finds Robertson’s header, he hits the post, it bounces back off the keeper’s arms and behind for another corner!
Could easily have been an own goal, a Robertson goal or a tap-in for another red shirt, but the Foxes earn their fortune this time.
24’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:24 , Karl Matchett
Nunez belts a shot into a defender, then Gakpo is played in by Robertson and his first touch is excellent – then it bounces off his knee instead of falling kindly to shoot. Might have been offside too but the keeper is out quickly.
Liverpool starting to raise their game and tempo a bit more but Leicester look a threat on the break – one pass from Mavididi almost freed Daka into the box.
Gakpo winds his way past another challenge onto his right foot and shoots fiercely, but this time it’s over the bar and into the Kop.
20′ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:20 , Karl Matchett
It’s…getting a bit foggy again. Not that Liverpool can lay the blame for this slow start on that, but it’s getting a bit tough to see what’s going on. Gravenberch fouls Ayew and the home support are starting to get a bit irked at the amount of time taken every time Leicester have a dead ball.
Salah spins his man and finds Jones in the box, but another cross is cleared and Stolarczyk claims the next one easily. 72% possession for Liverpool so far but no big chances since that early combo of Salah and Jones.
16’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:17 , Karl Matchett
Alexander-Arnold delivers a cross which ends in a corner. Interesting set-up from the Reds for the set piece, with five beyond the far post and looking to run in…it’s cleared at the near post by the first man.
Mac Allister is the man in the middle currently trying to add a bit of steel and tempo about the home team’s play, as it’s a bit passive so far.
12’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:13 , Karl Matchett
Darwin Nunez nods one off target for the Reds after a Robertson cross.
Our Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly is at Anfield:
“So much for the control Arne Slot wanted. Liverpool’s last three league games have ended 3-3, 2-2 and 6-3 and they find themselves 1-0 down already. Jordan Ayew’s early goal has given Leicester a surprise lead. The last time Leicester visited Anfield in the Premier League, Liverpool’s match winner was Wout Faes, with two own goals. But he isn’t playing tonight, sadly for them.”
8’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:11 , Karl Matchett
No immediate response from the hosts – it’s Leicester who have the next couple of attacks, Mavididi running through the centre and not quite managing to get onto a lofted pass, then Justin firing over the bar after a corner was half-cleared.
The ball also hit Gakpo’s hand somewhere in the corner, but it was a deflection while he was facing the other way so no danger of a penalty. Liverpool certainly not up to speed yet though.
GOAL! 6’ – Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
20:07 , Karl Matchett
That wasn’t in the script! Leicester have taken the lead! Mavididi beats Alexander-Arnold and crosses, Ayew shoulders Andy Robertson out the way and turns to fire low past Alisson, into the bottom corner! His 50th goal in English football, the Foxes lead 1-0!
4’ – Liverpool 0-0 Leicester
20:06 , Karl Matchett
Very early for a “should be ahead” post but…Liverpool should be ahead. A deep cross from the left finds Salah on the right and his initial shot is parried, it drops to Curtis Jones and he seems as though he just needs to roll it in…but in shifting it from one foot to the other it seems to get stuck under him a little, the keeper is out quickly and Leicester get bodies back to clear.
1’ – Liverpool 0-0 Leicester
20:02 , Karl Matchett
Underway at Anfield!
The fog is thick but seemingly lifted slightly in the past hour or so. Liverpool in red, kicking towards the Kop in the first half after Leicester won the toss.
Liverpool v Leicester – live
19:55 , Karl Matchett
As for Leicester, they started the Boxing Day round of games outside the bottom three – but with Wolves beating Manchester United, they’ve leapfrogged them.
One point separates the sides, with the Foxes now 18th, but Wolves have the better goal difference.
Victory at Anfield for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side will see them go level on points with Everton and Crystal Palace, while of course re-overtaking Wolves. A big ask, nonetheless.
Match facts
19:50 , Chris Wilson
Leicester have won just one of their last 10 Boxing Day league games (D2 L7), with that coming in 2018-19 against eventual champions Manchester City.
The Foxes lost 4-0 against Newcastle and 3-0 against Wolves in their last two Premier League games. They last lost three consecutive league games by a margin of 3+ goals back in November 1958.
Jamie Vardy has scored eight Premier League goals against Liverpool, with only Andrew Cole (11) and Harry Kane (9) netting more against the Reds in the competition.
Liverpool v Leicester – live
19:45 , Karl Matchett
So after Chelsea lost late on to Fulham earlier today, Liverpool have the chance to go a massive seven points clear at the top heading toward the new year – and they still have a game in hand, too.
Arsenal don’t play until tomorrow and they could cut that lead by a point if they win, while reigning champions Man City look well out of it – another draw today, against Everton, means that ahead of kick off Liverpool are 11 points clear of them, having played two fewer.
Match facts
19:40 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 21 matches in all competitions (W18 D3). It’s their longest run without defeat since a streak of 25 between April and November 2021, and their longest within a single season since a run of 24 between January and May 1989.
The Reds have conceded eight goals in their last three Premier League games, as many as they had in their first 13 under Arne Slot. However, the Reds have scored at least twice in each of their last nine league games, their longest such run since September-December 2021 (11).
If Mo Salah scores, he will become the eighth player to score 100+ goals on home soil in the league.
The irresistible combination behind Liverpool’s explosive rise under Arne Slot
19:30 , Chris Wilson
Are you not entertained? After the seven-goal thriller came the excitement of nine goals. Tottenham found a way to go two better, but also significantly worse. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has witnessed 16 goals in four days, Spurs have veered from winning 4-3 to losing 6-3. Angeball can veer from the brilliant to the ridiculous, but rarely quite to this extent. And in reply to Ange Postecoglou’s question on Thursday: it was hugely entertaining, but this time too much of the entertainment came at Tottenham’s expense.
Even as Liverpool’s previously impressive defensive record took another dent – it is now eight goals conceded in three league games – they suggested they had a better balance. They have excelled at winning under Arne Slot but have rarely run riot. This time they did both, scoring six in a game for the first time under the Dutchman. “It was very good, maybe it was our best performance away from home,” said Slot, bracketing it with the 3-0 win at Manchester United.
It was certainly their most explosive attacking display, spearheaded – with a certain inevitability – by Mohamed Salah. He ended his afternoon with two goals, two assists and a sense he was too good for Djed Spence, the makeshift left-back luckless enough to be his immediate opponent. Luis Diaz, the stand-in centre-forward who has proved hugely effective there, added a double to his hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen.
The irresistible combination behind Liverpool’s explosive rise under Arne Slot
Match facts
19:20 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League home games against Leicester (W10 D2), since losing three in a row between 1997 and 2000.
Leicester have won just two of their last 12 Premier League games against Liverpool (D1 L9). They’ve had three runs of three consecutive defeats in this run (including a current one), but they’ve not lost four straight league games against the Reds since between 1987 and 1996.
Head-to-head
19:15 , Chris Wilson
These two sides have had 140 previous official meetings, with the first taking place in 1895. Overall, Liverpool have won 47, Leicester have won 35, and 22 have ended as draws.
These two sides met in the League Cup last season, with the Reds winning 3-1 in September 2023.
The last time these two sides met in the league was in May 2023, when Liverpool won 3-0 thanks to a goal from Trent Alexander-Arnold and a brace from Curtis Jones.
Arne Slot hails ‘best away performance’ of Liverpool reign after Spurs thriller
19:10 , Chris Wilson
Arne Slot saluted the best away performance of his Liverpool reign after a 6-3 victory at Tottenham opened up a four-point lead at the Premier League summit.
The Reds produced a masterful attacking display in north London with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah on target twice along with efforts either side of half-time by Alexis Mac Allister and the imperious Dominik Szoboszlai.
It was a thoroughly-deserved success for Slot’s men and made it 21 triumphs in 25 matches since he replaced Jurgen Klopp this summer in further evidence Liverpool are the best team in the country right now, but the 46-year-old pointed out they were not perfect in the capital.
Arne Slot hails ‘best away performance’ of Liverpool reign after Spurs thriller
Virgil van Dijk reveals current situation on Liverpool contract negotiations
19:00 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk insists there is “no deadline” regarding his contract situation.
The Netherlands international’s current deal expires in the summer and from next week he would be able to negotiate with overseas clubs about moving at the end of the season.
However, it is understood the 33-year-old’s preference is to stay at Anfield and the player himself is just concentrating on a campaign which has them top of the Premier League and Champions League tables.
Virgil van Dijk reveals current situation on Liverpool contract negotiations
Confirmed lineups – Liverpool v Leicester
18:59 , Karl Matchett
Liverpool:Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
Leicester: Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks; El Khannous, Ayew, Mavididi; Daka
Team news
18:40 , Chris Wilson
The line-ups should be released in around five minutes…
Is Liverpool v Leicester on TV?
18:30 , Chris Wilson
When is Liverpool vs Leicester?
Liverpool vs Leicester is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Thursday 26 December at Anfield.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Amazon Prime Video, with the streaming service showing every Boxing Day fixture in the Premier League.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Predicted line-ups
18:20 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo.
Leicester XI: Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Skipp, Soumare; De Cordova-Reid, Vardy, Mavididi.
Team news
18:10 , Chris Wilson
Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley remain absent for Liverpool, but Arne Slot otherwise has a squad in good health.
Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen missed the defeat to Wolves, while the game also came too soon for deputy Jakub Stolarczyk after injury. Danny Ward may be replaced by the Pole with Hermansen again a major doubt.
Liverpool vs Leicester LIVE
18:00 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool will be bidding to continue their Premier League title charge as they welcome Leicester City to Anfield.
Arne Slot’s side showcased their attacking strength in a 6-3 dismantling of Tottenham to ensure they spent Christmas four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand over their rivals.
Consecutive defeats have dragged the visitors back into the thick of the relegation fight as a bright start under Ruud van Nistelrooy fades.
The 3-0 home humbling by fellow strugglers Wolves leaves the Dutch manager in need of a result as he takes his team to Merseyside.