Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points after coming from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 at Anfield on Thursday night.
The Foxes, who started the game in the relegation zone, produced a fighting performance that began with Jordan Ayew firing them into an early lead.
However, goals from Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones either side of half-time turned the game on its head before Mohamed Salah wrapped it up late on to ensure the Reds took advantage Chelsea’s setback against Fulham earlier on Boxing Day.
How the match unfolded
Liverpool seemed to have signaled their intent when he Salah forced a save with a close-range volley just seconds after the first whistle. But it was Leicester who took the lead six minutes later, Ayew turning sharply to finish in the box after great work from Stephy Mavididi down the left.
Inevitably, the hosts responded with increased pressure but created precious little from a series of crosses into the box, with Andy Robertson’s header off the post the closest they came.
Leicestermeanwhile, he looked lively on the break and got within reach of Virgil van Dijk to play in Patson Daka for a chance to make it 2-0.
Unfortunately for the Foxes, the pressure started to mount as half time approached and Salah sent a shot wide of the post from the penalty area. And Liverpool were level not long after, Gakpo heading home a trademark cross from the left.
The Reds then picked up where they left off after the break, with Darwin Nunez missing a golden opportunity to put Ryan Gravenberch over the bar. But they were ahead after a similar move moments later, Jones slotting home after Mac Allister cut back after a well-worked move down the home side’s right.
To their credit, Leicester got on with it and would have been level had Daka not completely missed a left-footed effort from a cross after a quick break. Meanwhile, LiverpoolThe wait for a game-clinching goal was extended when Gakpo’s shot was ruled out after a lengthy VAR review for offside in the build-up.
But they got a breather in the final ten minutes when Salah fired low at the far post after dribbling into the box.
Check out the player ratings for Liverpool vs Leicester City here.
Having conceded eight goals in their last three games, Liverpool may be looking at this clash with Leicester as an opportunity to show that they are not quite as porous as they have looked of late. Instead, Alisson Becker pulled the ball out of his own net with just six minutes on the clock against a team in the relegation zone.
The Reds have now kept one clean sheet in their last six games (against Girona) and lack the solidity that characterized their strong start to the season. Perhaps the imminent return of Ibrahim Konata will help, but Arne Slot will be desperate to find a solution either way.
Jurgen Klopp went so far as to apologize to Cody Gakpo last season for ruining his form by using his positional versatility too much. After the Dutchman scored eight goals in his last 12 appearances in the favored left-wing position with a strike against Leicester, you can see the former Reds boss had a point.
Gakpo looks like a player reborn this season and his recent form means he may even have been ahead of Luis Diaz in the top flight on that wing. That’s certainly a selection headache that Slot will welcome.
After the ‘new manager bounce’ gave way to heavy defeats against Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester fans had every reason to dread this trip to Anfield.
Instead, they will surely be encouraged by a disciplined, hard-working game that on another day could have brought at least a share of the points. If the Foxes continue to show this level of togetherness in the future, then they will at least give themselves a chance at further victories.
READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMORS AND GOSSIP
