"They may smell blood here" - Alan Shearer predicts result of Premier League Boxing Day clash between Liverpool and Leicester City 

Pundit Alan Shearer has predicted the outcome of Liverpool's Premier League Boxing Day clash against Leicester City. The former Newcastle United striker has backed Arne Slot's side to secure a big victory at Anfield on Thursday, December 26.

Liverpool have been arguably the strongest team in not only England but also Europe this season. They lead both the Premier League table and the Champions League table and demolished Tottenham Hotspur 6-3 in the league on Sunday, December 22.

Leicester City, on the other hand, suffered two successive heavy defeats in their last two games despite their managerial change. Ruud van Nistelrooy saw his side lose 4-0 and 3-0 to Newcastle United and Wolves, respectively, in the last two games.

Alan Shearer has claimed that the Foxes could be in all sorts of troubles as they travel to Anfield to face Arne Slot's side. He said, as quoted by Metro:

"You have to fear for Leicester in this one, I watched them concede four against Newcastle, the other day they conceded three against Wolves and they look all over the place defensively."

Shearer added:

"You have to worry for them going to Anfield with the form they’re in. Liverpool may smell blood here and they may get a few."

Arne Slot's side sit at the top of the Premier League table with 39 points in 16 games, leading second-placed Chelsea by four points with a game in hand. They are also at the top of the Champions League table with a 100% win record.

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Paul Robinson offers warning to Liverpool regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential replacement

Former England international goalkeeper Paul Robinson has claimed that Chelsea would not sell Malo Gusto to Liverpool. The Reds reportedly identified the Frenchman as the potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold who could be on his way out of Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have their current deals expiring at Anfield next summer. It remains to be seen whether they sign new deals with the Merseyside giants but Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Arne Slot's side reportedly view Gusto as the potential replacement for Alexander-Arnold if he departs. However, Paul Robinson has claimed that it will be a difficult deal for the Reds to pull off. He told Football Insider:

“No chance. He’s been playing a lot for Chelsea with the injuries Reece James has had. There’s a lot of players who have played with James who will tell you he’s one of the best full-backs they’ve played with, but his injury record."

The former England international added:

“You look at what Chelsea are carrying now and what their model is, we ridiculed the amount of players they have, but with a win at the weekend they could go top of the Premier League. Malo Gusto has been a key part of that and Chelsea will not want to sell an important player to a title rival. I think that would be a very, very difficult deal for Liverpool to do."

Malo Gusto has made 53 appearances for Chelsea since his switch from Lyon in 2023, providing 11 assists. The 21-year-old France international can play either at both right-back or left-back.