This has been Leicester’s first real wobble.
A home draw against Norwich, and a defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in which they did not show the personality we expected of them.
But Brendan Rodgers will have been looking forward to this one — Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.
They lost 2-1 at Anfield in October, courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty. Now he tackles his old club on home turf. Leicester will have a go.
Rodgers has done a good job at every major club he’s managed in recent years. Swansea became the first Welsh side to reach the Premier League. At Liverpool, he fell two points short of the title. At Celtic, he won it all.
Now at Leicester, the players are loving it. They started their season targeting the Champions League and they remain on track. This has all the hallmarks of the game of the season.
Liverpool just won the Club World Cup in Qatar, so they could have done with an easier game on their return. Maybe emotions are high after that victory but they have got to get back to business.
As a player, I loved the Christmas period. You’d go in to train, a spot of five-a-side, and I’d pinch myself about how I’m getting paid to do all of this! I never once complained about it. Why would I? It’s part of our culture.
When I was a kid, seven or eight years old, I would get a pair of boots off my dad for Christmas. I’d be itching to go out and use them as soon as possible.
I felt lucky. Boxing Day football has been part of my life. I hope you all embrace it, too.--Daily Mail