Leicester City’s post-World Cup form may be the polar opposite to Fulham’s, but Marco Silva knows a difficult test awaits on Tuesday night.
While the Whites took maximum points in December, Brendan Rodgers’ side were beaten 3-0 by Newcastle United, before two own goals in eight minutes cost them at Anfield.
“We go there with full ambition to get the three points, but we know their quality as well,” Silva explained. “We know what type of game they can play if they’re at their best level.
“After the break they’ve had two defeats – in the last one, I think they performed really well against Liverpool, the first one at home against Newcastle wasn’t their best game.
“But they want to react, because I know – and they know as well – how they were strong before the break. They didn’t start the season well but they reacted and they started to get very good results, impressive scores as well, away and at home, against some good sides in this competition.
“They are really strong if they are at their best level, and we are preparing ourselves to play against them in their best level. It will be tough, it’s always a tough place to go. There’s a lot of individual quality around the team.
“I think everything they have been doing since Brendan is there speaks for itself, even getting some important titles for the club. I think they are a really strong side.
“They want to react from the last two defeats, but at the same time, we want to keep doing the same – playing at our best level. We got a good result last game but we know that wasn’t our best performance.
“We know that for us to get the three points at Leicester we have to perform better than the last game and be stronger to fight for the three points, and that is what we’re going to do.”
When asked where in particular he thinks the Foxes can cause problems, Silva highlighted their strength in midfield.
They will likely be without playmaker James Maddison for Tuesday’s match, but our Head Coach knows there are plenty of other top class players in the side.
“Firstly, collectively they are strong,” he stated. “They have a clear idea of the way Brendan wants to play.
“Some very good quality players in the midfield zone. With Maddison or without Maddison they are slightly different because you’re talking about a top, top quality player.
“And there is a moment for [Youri] Tielemans to come back again in their XI, a player that can give them that extra quality in the midfield zone and that creativity that all the teams need.
“And of course after they have good players like [Wilfred] Ndidi and [Boubakary] Soumare behind to support that midfield line and attack line.
“They will probably start the game with [Jamie] Vardy, and [Harvey] Barnes on the left hand side, who are always a threat for all the backlines that they play against.
“For sure it will be a tough team because they have a lot of quality around and we have to be really strong from a collective point of view. And, of course, our individuals as well, they have to pop up.
“I think it will be a good game, two teams that want to win the match, and let’s hope we can perform well.”
