- Liverpool host Leicester in the Premier League on Boxing Day
- Reds defender Martin Skrtel is out with a hamstring injury
- Kolo Toure is a capable replacement for the Slovakia international
- The Foxes play a fast, counter attacking style of football
- Jamie Vardy will cause Liverpool problems for sure
- N’Golo Kante has been outstanding for the Foxes so far this term
By
Martin Keown for the Daily Mail
Published:
22:40 GMT, 25 December 2015
|
Updated:
22:40 GMT, 25 December 2015
Premier League leaders Leicester travel to Anfield on Boxing Day to take on a Liverpool side still retaining hopes of finishing in the top four.
Here, former Arsenal defender and Sportsmail columnist Martin Keown previews the game and gives his thoughts on the key talking points of the clash on Merseyside.

Leicester forward Jamie Vardy (right) breaks clear with the ball ahead of Everton’s Gareth Barry
TRUST TOURE
Martin Skrtel’s injury is a blow to Liverpool’s defence but having Kolo Toure as backup is far from the end of the world.
He was a tremendous player at Arsenal and he’s not just at Liverpool because he’s a likable man, he’s still a very good player.
I felt Brendan Rodgers didn’t get the best out of him and there was a nervousness to his play. But since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival Toure has looked calm again and the German is fortunate to have a player like him to turn to.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is a capable and willing replacement for the injured Martin Skrtel
PROBLEMS WITH PACE
The biggest problem Liverpool will have is Leicester’s speed. Can their defence cope with the pace of Jamie Vardy running into those channels for 90 minutes?
He can reproduce high-intensity sprints all game and there doesn’t seem to be a defender in the league who can match that.
Liverpool will need pace, fitness, determination and know-how to stop him. The most effective way to stop him is to make sure they cut off Leicester’s attacks at source. They can’t afford to let them get going.

Vardy (centre) has explosive pace and will no doubt be a handful for Liverpool on Boxing Day
TO PRESS OR NOT TO PRESS
It will be fascinating to see how Klopp sets his side up.
Leicester are such a direct team and Liverpool may try to press them high and early.
The games where Liverpool have had success they have pressed high but of course that leaves you more open at the back.
That’s when Leicester are at their most effective because the game has changed – you don’t necessarily have to boss possession to win.

Reds midfielder Lucas Leiva (right) battles for the ball with Watford’s Troy Deeney at Vicarage Road
KANTE STOP ME NOW
Player, Team, Interceptions
N’Golo Kante, Leicester City, 72
Yohan Cabaye, Crystal Palace, 60
Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal, 52
Player, Team, Tackles
Lucas Leiva, Liverpool, 71
N’Golo Kante, Leicester City, 68
Erik Pieters, Stoke City, 66
KEEP AN EYE ON KANTE
N’Golo Kante has been an absolute star in midfield this season.
He makes so many tackles and interceptions but he can play as well.
Like the rest of the Leicester team he is just waiting for his moment to pounce.
There is confidence throughout the team and that’s why they are so comfortable springing a counter-attack from anywhere on the pitch.

Everton midfielder Gerard Deulofeu (left) vies for the ball with Foxes star N’Golo Kante at Goodison Park
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