Nigel Pearson has issued a new year challenge to his Leicester side as he targets survival.

The former Saints boss takes his Foxes side to Liverpool on New Year's Day after their key victory at Hull kept them in touch at the bottom.

They are still at the foot of the Barclays Premier League but are now just three points adrift of the safety line.

The 1-0 victory at the KC Stadium on Sunday was their first in 14 attempts since September's 5-3 win over Manchester United.

And, as they battle against the drop after winning the Sky Bet Championship last season, Pearson has thrown down the gauntlet to his side.

"We're still in a difficult situation, we've managed to keep in touch and we want to back up the result with more positive results. Whether we get the performance or not is secondary," he said.

"We are all aware of the fact that our form needs to be upped in 2015 and that's our next challenge.

"Football can throw up some interesting experiences. Hopefully we can move on from this.

"It's been a year of contrasts. In many ways it has been a good year but at the moment it has been frustrating. I'm not going to get one way or the other. It's difficult to always look at things evenly.

"We've experienced some real highs and real lows. But we're still working hard at it. We're still progressing.

"Our challenge for 2015 is very big as was the eventual outcome last year. Let's hope we can have another successful outcome. It just shows you how relative success is."

Pearson is without the suspended Paul Konchesky and Andy King (thigh) but welcomes back Jamie Vardy after a ban.

Matt Upson (foot) remains out with Kasper Schmeichel after the keeper broke his metatarsal earlier this month.

The Dane is not expected to return until February and Pearson is likely to sign back up with Ben Hamer currently deputising.

Riyad Mahrez will be missing as he takes part in Algeria's African Cup of Nations campaign, while Jeff Schlupp is expected to be named in Ghana's final squad.

Both are available at Anfield and Pearson refused to rule out short-term cover for the pair but is expected to sign reinforcements in January.

"We have players we are targeting but it's a fluid situation," he said. "We are trying to be as efficient as we can. It's hard to do things in the timescale you would like but we will have to wait and see.

"We may have a different answer next week, that depends on how negotiations pan out and whether other clubs are prepared to let players go."