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Liverpool face Leicester City on Boxing Day looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League.

The Reds will sit in first place on Christmas Day having had themselves a fantastic season so far.

And with Leicester struggling for form, Liverpool will be hoping to give their supporters some more festive cheer at Anfield.

For the Foxes, it could hardly be a worse time to face Liverpool.

They head into the match having lost their past two Premier League games 4-0 and 3-0 respectively.

Go further back and their record stands at just one win in their past nine league games.

In short, it’s the kind of time where they need everyone fit and available.

But according to new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, he may have to make do without star striker Jamie Vardy on Thursday.

Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images

Despite being set to turn 38 in January, Vardy is still a key man for Leicester.

The former England man has a decent return of six goals in 16 league matches this season.

Vardy has started each and every one of those 16 games and would be a shoo-in for only Van Nistelrooy’s fourth starting XI as Leicester manager.

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However, speaking in a press conference on Tuesday via Leicestershire Live, the Man United legend admitted that it was touch and go for Vardy to be fit to go at Anfield.

“We have to address Jamie,” said Van Nistelrooy when asked if his team had any new injury issues.

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“He picked up some knocks.

Hopefully we will be fine, but if not, it will be short term.”

Vardy has been a real thorn in the side for just about every Premier League defence for the past decade.

Liverpool have certainly not been immune to that, with the former Non-League striker enjoying himself against the Reds on occasion.

GamesGoalsAssistsWonDrawnLostJamie Vardy vs Liverpool 16814210

But it isn’t just Vardy’s own personal history against Liverpool which will leave the Reds relieved if he cannot feature.

If you take the veteran’s goals out of the equation, the rest of the Leicester squad have only scored 15 Premier League goals between them.

Nothing is done yet, though, and the Reds will need to be as professional as ever, Vardy or no Vardy.