Craig Shakespeare is taking a hands-on approach to his side's warm up tonight on what looks like a chilly evening in the east midlands. He's gone back to basically the same XI which won the league, minus N'Golo Kante.

Which is minus a lot. 

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Bardsley
Stoke defender

Everyone on the training ground was disappointed to hear the news about Ranieiri considering the job he had done. I feel for him and the feeling around our training ground was a big disappointment.

From the outside looking in you could see cracks in the way they were playing, but they have still got terrific players.

Former Leicester player Robbie Savage has his say on tonight's game and expects the Foxes to make a stand.

Tonight's story may all be about Leicester - but don't tell that to Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp's men have had two weeks off and have been to La Manga for a spot of sun and rehabilitation.

Almost like a winter break.

This tweet from the sports editor of The Times suggests that when Liverpool are rested, they are ruthless.

Will they add more misery to the mix for Leicester fans tonight?

Leicester City

Leicester captain Wes Morgan, speaking to Sky Sports:  "It’s been a big distraction and a difficult few days but we’ve got a big game ahead of us and the focus is on that. We need everyone on our side.

"We will aim for a committed, determined performance. We’ve not been as good as we should have been and today is a great time to put things right."

The bad news keeps on coming.

A Jamie Vardy lookalike says he was left "broke" amid claims his agent scammed him out of appearance fees.

Postman Lee Chapman shot to fame after he was  pulled on to the team coach  as the Foxes celebrated their Premier League title win in May 2016.

But he now claims lookalike appearance fees were not paid and blames agent Jamie Austin for the Vardys blocking him on social media.

Image source, Getty Images

The morning after the Leicester City victory parade, "Chappy" appeared on breakfast TV and pictures of him with goalscorer Vardy featured in national newspapers.

But by August, he was back delivering mail in Leicester.

Caretaker boss Craig Shakespeare makes one change in his first game in charge of Leicester and it comes in attack where Shinji Okazaki replaces Ahmed Musa. 

Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Mahrez, Okazaki, Albrighton, Vardy. 

Subs: Chilwell, King, Amartey, Slimani, Zieler, Gray, Ulloa. 

Image source, .

Liverpool make only one change themselves from their previous game - the 2-0 win over Tottenham 16 days ago. Jordan Henderson is out with a foot injury and so Emre Can comes in to midfield.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lucas, Milner, Lallana, Can, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho. 

Subs: Karius, Klavan, Moreno, Origi, Stewart, Woodburn, Alexander-Arnold. 

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester defender Gary Rowett, about fifth favourite to replace Ranieri, on whether he had heard from his old club: 

"Nothing. I’m sat waiting at home for the right opportunity to come along. Of course Leicester would be an amazing opportunity but Ranieri’s sacking is still raw for everybody in football.

“I played there for two years, playing a season in the Premier League and in the Uefa Cup that season, so I’ve had good experiences at Leicester.

“It’s an excellent club and it would be quite daunting for any manager going in because of what they have achieved. Nevertheless it would be a fantastic opportunity for somebody.”

Pat Murphy
5 live Sport

Caretaker boss Craig Shakespeare is firmly in contention for the Leicester manager's job on a longer-term basis following  Claudio Ranieri's sacking.

Shakespeare was Ranieri's assistant and is popular with the club's players.

And the 53-year-old could be given the job until at least the end of the season.

Leicester won the Premier League last season but go into tonight's match in the relegation zone.

No timescale has yet been set for the appointment, but if Shakespeare remains in charge for Saturday's home match against Hull City - a vital game for both clubs - a return of four points out of six and improved performances would count in his favour.

BBC Sport asks if Leicester should re-appoint the man who kept them in the Premier League in 2014-15 or look elsewhere as they search for Claudio Ranieri's successor.

READ MORE: After Ranieri, who next for Leicester?

Leicester City

No sweeping changes to arrest Leicester's poor form - just one alteration from the team which lost in Seville. Shinji Okazaki comes in for Ahmed Musa. 

Phil Bardsley
Stoke defender

Did the players revolt? I’m not sure if that happened but in terms of the characters I know – Danny Simpson, Danny Drinkwater, Robert Huth – they are not the sort of characters who would do that.

I don’t think it is in their character to have a revolt. Whether it happened or not, I’m not sure. But there is a little bit of guilt as a player because you’re partly responsible.

They have to take responsibility.

Liverpool

Just the one expected change for Liverpool - injured captain Jordan Henderson is replaced by Emre Can. 

From his jovial press conferences to his famous "dilly ding, dilly dong" catchphrase, BBC Sport looks back at what we'll miss from Claudio Ranieri after he was  sacked as Leicester manager.

Kelly Cates presents the build-up to the game from 19:00 GMT. 

Alistair Bruce-Ball and Robbie Savage are the commentary team when it kicks off at 20:00. 

Immediately afterwards, Savage, Freddie Flintoff and the brilliant sports writer Matthew Syed, (who is also a former Olympic table tennis player don't you know), discuss the week's biggest sporting stories. 

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at King Power Stadium

The programme notes from the Leicester vice-chairman should make unusually interesting reading tonight.

"I don't expect everyone to understand it and I know that some people are angry about it," says Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha. 

Image source, .

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

A bit of interesting information came my way regarding the Leicester job earlier today.

It was thought former Foxes player and former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, one of the early favourites to replace Claudio Ranieri, had indicated he wasn't willing to replace his fellow Italian.

However, I have been told Mancini has never said anything of the kind.

No-one has said Mancini is interested - and for now it is a moot point because there has been no contact from his old club.

However, it doesn't seem he is as against the idea as most people thought.

Somebody has hired a hearse with flowers spelling out 'RIP Football'...

Image source, Getty Images

I'm sure we've all discussed the life out of the pros and cons of Leicester's decision to sack Claudio Ranieri - but will it prove to be the right decision?

Will the champions now stay up? Or do you see them going down? Why?

Get in touch by texting us on 81111 or tweeting us at # bbcfootball

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on 5 live

Everybody was stunned – I still think it is a joke bearing in mind what Claudio Ranieri has achieved at a club like Leicester. He deserved the opportunity to put the fight in to keep them up. But it doesn’t surprise you as that it is football.

That’s the state of the game at the minute, a lot of things are happening where you can’t put your finger on why. Ranieri is just another victim of that.