Crouchy’s Shouts: Liverpool enjoy 6/1 Boxing Day stroll v Leicester

Here we go! It’s the non-stop Premier League Christmas fixtures and Peter Crouch is taking a moment out from munching turkey and sprouts to give us his thoughts on Liverpool v Leicester on Boxing day.

Arne Slot’s side are sitting pretty on top of the Premier League table and with a game in-hand over their rivals, while the Foxes look set for a relegation dogfight in the new year as recently-installed boss Ruud van Nistelrooy tries turn around their season – and Crouchy’s not expecting a surprise under the Christmas tree in this one.

Though you may find one of your own with Paddy Power’s Super Sub which means your bet rolls on even if your player selection gets taken off early…

Liverpool v Leicester Bet Builder

Alternative Handicap – Liverpool -2
Mo Salah to score
Luis Diaz to have 2+ shots on target
Wout Faes to commit 1+ fouls

A bet builder with these selections pays at approximately 6/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP

WHEN: Boxing Day, December 26, 8pm
WHERE: Anfield, Liverpool
TV: Amazon Prime Video (UK), Premier Sports 1 (Ireland)

The word I think of when I look at Arne Slot is ‘relentless’.

Liverpool played some of the best football I’ve seen this season against Spurs. They were phenomenal.

Luis Diaz was great, Trent Alexander-Arnold was on fire, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch, there were too many who impressed to name them all.

If they keep playing like that, no one touches them this season.

But even when they do play so well, conceding the three goals is what Arne Slot talked about after the game and that’s where he looks to improve.

arne slot, liverpool manager, september 2024 — Liverpool coach Arne Slot v AC Milan at the San Siro stadium in Milan on September 17, 2024. (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI / AFP) (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images)

I always think of the Ipswich game, the first day of the season. I was there and was really surprised because they went and won the game comfortably and he was still really unhappy after it. He made swift changes in that game when it wasn’t working too.

That’s why they’ve become this relentless team under him.

It’s Leicester next on Boxing Day. They’re under a new manager in Ruud van Nistelrooy but they’ve taken some heavy defeats in the last two games and the manner of those losses is very worrying.

Wolves have looked like they couldn’t buy a 3-0 win recently and they go to the King Power and the game’s over at half-time.

Leicester had suffered a few poor results under Steve Cooper too. I was at one of the games and they were booed off at home, it was really poor, so they made the change before they got cut adrift like Southampton. It was a bit of a harsh decision considering he only arrived in the summer, but they’ve got to stay in the league, haven’t they?

It’s a big shout to go with Van Nistelrooy. I’m not sure he’d have been in the frame without those few games at United. He has done his apprenticeship and good luck to him – the only way you get experience is by managing teams – but it’s a tough job.

Liverpool -2

And it won’t get any easier with the trip to Anfield.

I expect a comfortable home win. It could be another 3 or 4 defeat for Leicester, and I wouldn’t really fancy them to score if I’m honest.

The way Liverpool are playing going forward, the only thing that could stop them is if Slot decides to make wholesale changes rotating the squad.

But I don’t expect that an see Liverpool winning handily.

Mo Salah to score

I always say it, but for good reason. He had two more against Spurs, and in game where Liverpool should get a few, how can you not look at Mo Salah?

Luis Diaz to have 2 or more shots on goal

Only Mo Salah has more shots for Liverpool this season than Luis Diaz. He was sensational against Spurs and Leicester have allowed more than 80 shots on their goal since Van Nistelrooy took over four games ago.

Diaz should have plenty of opportunities to hit the target a couple of times.

Wout Faes to commit 1 or more fouls

The Leicester defence is going to be under pressure and we’ve seen mistakes in recent games. I can see a few desperate attempts to stop Liverpool. The Belgian centre-back came on at half-time against Wolves when they were already 3-0 down, so I’d expect him to start and he seems a good shout for a foul given how this game should go.