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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Fabinho absence explained as Jurgen Klopp makes Liverpool midfield change for Leicester

Jurgen Klopp makes one change to the Liverpool team that hosts Leicester City as Harvey Elliott returns for Fabinho.

Brazil midfielder Fabinho is not included in the match-day squad and sits out the game for what has been described as 'personal reasons'. It's understood the Reds star's partner, Rebeca, is due to give birth imminently.

Elliott starts in midfield alongside Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara as Ibrahima Konate returns to the match-day squad as a substitute following his appearance for France in the World Cup.

MATCH UPDATES: Liverpool vs Leicester commentary stream, goals and score

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Despite the return of the centre-half, Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip both keep their places in the back four alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson with Alisson Becker in goal.

Up top, Darwin Nunez starts down the middle with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mohamed Salah on the left and right, respectively as Klopp's side look to continue their winning form following the return of the Premier League on Boxing Day.

New signing Cody Gakpo is at Anfield to watch the game as a special guest ahead of his official move on January 1 from PSV Eindhoven. The Netherlands international has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal and will officially become a Liverpool player when the transfer window opens on New Year's Day.

Liverpool : Alisson; Alexander-Arnild, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago; Elliott; Salah, Nunez, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Subs : Adrian, Gomez, Konate, Keita, Tsimikas, Carvalho, Clark, Bajcetic, Doak.

Leicester: Ward, Thomas, Amartey, Castagne, Faes, Ndidi(c), Pérez, Barnes, Dewsbury-Hall, Soumaré, Daka.

Subs: Iversen, Soyuncu, Vestergaard, Mendy, Brunt, Tielemans, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Vardy.

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