Liverpool face three Premier League fixtures between 26 December and 2 January during the frantic festive period – here are our predictions.
The Reds face Aston Villa on Boxing Day before hosting Leicester at Anfield on 30 December and a trip to Brentford to round off a busy run of games.
That game against Manchester City only added to the congestion going into a period where Liverpool got seven points from last season’s corresponding fixtures.
They won at Villa Park and beat Leicester 2-0 at home, while drawing 3-3 in west London last time around – but how many points will they get over this festive period? We’ve taken a look…
Aston Villa (A) – Win
Jurgen Klopp and new Villa boss Unai Emery went head to head in the Champions League semi-finals last season, which underlines the coup he is in replacing Steven Gerrard.
There is every chance this is a one-goal game and Emery’s version of Villa have already scored five times across two games with Manchester United.
You would back the Reds to get the win though as they search for some consistency which has so far eluded them this season.
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Leicester (H) – Win
The Foxes beat Liverpool over Christmas last year but that was at the King Power Stadium and Mo Salah uncharacteristically missed a penalty that night.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have turned a corner and the tight turnaround does raise the prospect of a shock but Liverpool should get the job done.
Firepower over Christmas may be an issue with injury problems at Anfield, but the squad will know the importance of finding a way to win regardless.
Brentford (A) – Win
Liverpool saw last season that this will not be an easy game at all and Brentford relish the challenge of upsetting the big boys.
Ivan Toney will need to be kept quiet and there will be some tired legs, but Liverpool will hope to make it nine from nine here.
The festive period on the back of the World Cup will test Klopp’s squad to the limit but if they come through, it will be a sign that they are recovering their standards from last season.