Liverpool need no extra motivation for Leicester game, says Gakpo - Soccer News

[ad_1] Cody Gakpo says Liverpool want no further motivation to win at Leicester Metropolis as they purpose to stretch their lead on the prime of the Premier League desk.

The Reds stretched their unbeaten run to 21 video games in all competitions with their beautiful 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 prime of the desk with a recreation in hand, and Gakpo admitted the gamers are having fun with the relentless nature of the fixture listing with a lot to play for.

“I believe no person can anticipate it,” Gakpo mentioned. “We're desirous 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 objectives 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 an excellent second, it’s extra pleasing. Each soccer participant goals of taking part in as many video games as potential.”

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 received his first two video games accountable for 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 might be with out striker Jamie Vardy, who has netted six Premier League objectives this season, on account of a knock.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman will not be shying away from the powerful job forward of him.

“The squad is nice [after the Wolves defeat], they’re positive. 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 combating till the top to point out we should play on this league.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah has scored 99 objectives in 141 dwelling video games within the Premier League (two for Chelsea, 97 for Liverpool). If he scores, he'll change 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 objectives (six) or supplied extra assists (4) on Boxing Day than him.

Leicester Metropolis – Jamie Vardy

Vardy has scored eight Premier League objectives towards Liverpool, with solely Andrew Cole (11) and Harry Kane (9) netting extra towards 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 towards 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 towards Leicester (W10 D2), since dropping three in a row between 1997 and 2000.

Leicester, in the meantime, have received simply two of their final 12 Premier League video games towards 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 towards 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 Could 1989.

They usually have received their final seven league video games performed on Boxing Day, the longest present run amongst any aspect in England’s prime 4 tiers, and the Reds’ longest-ever such run.

They've fared a lot better than Leicester, who've received simply one in every of their final 10 Boxing Day league video games (D2 L7), with that coming in 2018-19 towards eventual champions Manchester Metropolis.