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Leicester sacked Ranieri, Klopp wants Liverpool to attack

Leicester are on a 5-game Premiership losing run which saw them drop in danger zone so the board decided to sack championship-winning coach Ranieri. His assistant Craig Shakespeare will serve as an interim coach. His task won't be easy as they face the well-rested Liverpool, who beat runner-ups Tottenham in the last round

Newcastle United

Following 5 championship defeats, the FA Cup knock-out to third-tier Millwill and a 1-2 defeat to Sevilla in Round of 16 first leg, the Italian manager Ranieri got the sack. 

The board described that decision as the toughest ever to acknowledge the fact Ranieri was the one to get Leicester that title. However, the reactors to that decision were mostly negative. 

Ranieri said his dream died, while the players had nothing but praise for their former boss.

That was mostly done for the public. The truth is, most players have turned their backs on Ranieri, who was sacked for his inability to get anything from this team. Following the defeat to Palace on Saturday, they dropped in the danger zone. 

A lot of time in Premiership game previews we talked about Leicester game being old news. Defense and long-ball tactic don't really get you much. Vardy and Mahrez's productivity this season says it all about that. 

They scored 8 goals in 25 games, while combining 41 (and 20 assists) in the championship season, when Leicester had 32 points more than now after 25 rounds. 

Ranieri is leaving the team in a tough situation. They have no game and no confidence. Ranier's assistant Shakespeare took over temporarily and his first task is one of the toughest ones in this kind of a situation.

Can Shakespeare make any change for the better? That's tough to say but Leicester need to try their best to end the losing run. 

- Everyone on the team is very frustrated with everything that's been happening this season. Still, we have enough talent to once again get on the winning track - Shakespeare said. He will be without defender Wague and possibly without top scorer Slimani and Ulloa. Slimani has been injured since the Africa Cup of Nations but he could at least start on the bench.

- We are not written off and we have enough games to get out of this situation, like we did two years ago when we were lead by Pearson. We know what it's like to be at the top and at the bottom. We need to display that spirit all teams who fight to stay in the league have - Leicester interim manager said.

- We want this win and three points because we cannot afford to hold back even though we know how powerful they are - Shakespeare said. The first thing his team needs is a first Premiership goal in 2017. 

Liverpool are a strange team because they didn't win for a month in the league only to go on an trash Tottenham, who were at that point in top form. 

That was 15 days ago and Klopp's side had no other games since. They now want to improve and get one of the top 4 spots in the table.

Liverpool would probably prefer Ranieri to stay because they would then be sure about what the home team have in store for them. Like this, Klopp and his team need to be wary of what the new coach might be preparing. Klopp talked about a very offense-oriented game which suggests his only interest here is winning.

- Anyone who saw their last game with Sevilla, saw two different teams before and after the goal. They want that game after the goal. Since Ranieri left, they will want to do more good things. Our task is to stop them from doing that and not allow them to get a confidence boost - Klopp said. Croatian center back Lovren will most likely not play with a knee injury. Daniel Sturridge is questionable as well.

- Our expectations are high but we know we need to do out best. That is the only way for us to beat anyone in this league. I believe we'll be good, tough and organized to get three points - Klopp said. Liverpool have 6 wins and a defeat in the last 9 games with Leicester. The defeat is from last season with Vardy scored twice in the second half.