Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri “?has hyped up the Foxes’ weekend opponents Liverpool in his pre-match press conference, telling the assembled press to expect a title challenge from Jurgen Klopp’s Reds this season.
Both sides currently sit in mid-table on four points apiece after a win, draw and defeat in the opening three games of their respective seasons, with Liverpool looking to improve on last season’s eighth placed finish.
CR: “Liverpool are a very good team and on Saturday we have a very good match.” #LivLei
“?Speaking ahead of the game on Saturday evening, Ranieri admitted: “Liverpool is one of my favourites to win the league. They are ready to fight for the title. We go there to try and win. We are the champions. It’ll be difficult for us but also for them.”
Ranieri also gave an update on the club’s new signings and injury situation, revealing: “Slimani arrives this evening or tomorrow. I didn’t see him yet. He’s available for Saturday. He could play. We bought him because we believe in his ability. He cost a lot of money but if you see the market it’s a crazy market.”
CR on @kschmeichel1‘s fitness: “It was a very little operation. It was good and he’s ready to play.” #LivLei
Kasper Schmeichel looks set to line up in goal for the Foxes after an injury scare, but Jeffrey Schlupp and summer signing Nampalys Mendy have been ruled out for at least a further week. “?Ranieri said: “He (Schmeichel) is ready to play. I said it was a very little operation, it was good, the surgery was fantastic and he is ready to play.
“Mendy is training on the bike, sometimes outside, and when he comes back with the first team he needs a week. Jeff has started with us, the normal warm-up, and then he does something different. He is close to coming back. I don’t want to risk Mendy or Schlupp.”
For more from Chris when he’s not writing on 90min, follow him on Twitter at @ThatChris1209
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