Liverpool’s fixation on Monday night’s visit to Crystal Palace has been tempted into a glance elsewhere by a deviation in the narrative heading into another upcoming game.
Whilst it would be naive to look beyond a tough trip to Selhurst Park, the Reds will undoubtedly be aware of an early boost ahead of their meeting with Leicester in two weeks.
Striker Jamie Vardy looks set to miss out on the game at the King Power Stadium after being sent off in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Englishman was dismissed in the second half for a high tackle on full-back Matt Doherty and will now miss his side’s next three games.
Liverpool will host Brighton at Anfield before facing the 2015/2016 Premier League champions in a lunchtime kickoff on 1 September.
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Vardy has grown to be something of a familiar foe for Liverpool, having scored seven times in eight matches against the Reds.
He has given Dejan Lovren in particular a number of tough afternoons over the past few seasons, although the Croatian looks unlikely to feature in a couple of weeks.
Suspension for Leicester’s no.9 could mean a return to the starting lineup for former Manchester City man Kelechi Iheanacho after he was dropped to the bench following the opening weekend defeat to Manchester United.
The absence of Vardy by no means promises a more comfortable afternoon, with summer signing James Maddison and winger Demarai Gray having both impressed going forward in the early weeks of the campaign.