Liverpool legend Phil Thompson feels Leicester City deserve the tag of ‘title contenders’ despite his former club holding a commanding eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. When asked whether he believed the club were classed as title challengers after their start to this current campaign Thompson said: “They should be, and rightly so.”
Speaking to SportingLife, the former red said: “They are not going away at the moment. People keep talking about Manchester City, but this side is playing out of their skin.
Can Leicester City maintain second place until the end of the season?
Yes
No
“They are resilient, strong in defence with Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans, while Ben Chilwell and Ricardo Pereira, beside Liverpool’s, are probably the best full-backs in the league.
“It doesn’t surprise me. The only thing you look at is you know what the team is going to be. You can pick their starting XI more or less every week. It is a testament to the backroom staff and medical staff that these are the constant mainstays within the side. They have kept everybody fit which is absolutely terrific.
“The way they play football is great. Dare I say it, they have got more points at this stage than when they won the Premier League, and you can see exactly why. The team has got Brendan Rodgers’ fingerprints all over it.”
TIF Tactics – Liverpool are fully aware of the threat the Foxes carry
Phil Thompson was highly complimentary of the Foxes and his comments appear to confirm that those associated with Liverpool are beginning to take the threat of the East-Midland’s club seriously.
The two sides meet on Boxing day at the King Power Stadium in what will be a huge encounter for both managers. Can Liverpool extend their lead at the top of the Premier League or will Brendan Rodgers’ side close the gap on the runaway leaders? Whilst that game is still a couple of fixtures away, both sides will be keen to keep their momentum going ahead of what should turn out to be an entertaining top of the division clash.