Liverpool went seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after a fine comeback win over Leicester.
Jordan Ayew’s early goal stunned the Kop and despite lionising possession as half-time approached, The Foxes appeared at their most comfortable in defence, with Arne Slot looking as riled as he has been all season with the Foxes dawdling on taking set pieces.
Then as the clock ticked to 45 minutes, Mo Salah’s extravagant curling effort hit the bar, before Cody Gakpo’s effort from the other side of the penalty area found the net.
It took just four minutes after the resumption for the game to put beyond doubt through Curtis Jones’ close-range effort, and although it was the 82nd minute before the lead was extended via a Salah pearler, the three points never looked in doubt.
Liverpool now have a decent gap to Chelsea at the top with a game in hand, while The Foxes slipped into the bottom three.
Talking Point – Slot the Capello to Klopp’s Sacchi
Bill Shankly to Bob Paisley is the go-to comparison for Arne Slot’s superb start to taking over from Jurgen Klopp, but the Arrigo Sacchi to Fabio Capello one at Milan just over 30 years ago might be more apt. With his rejuvenation of the Rossoneri and revolutionary Serie A tactics, Sacchi led Milan to multiple European success and a solitary Serie A title.
Capello then guided Milan to a title in 1991/92, before adding two more, as well as two doubles and a Champions League triumph in 1994. Taking over from an iconic coach, Capello’s changes were slight, adding a little structure but taking away only a little of the adventure away from the team as they romped to a Serie A title – albeit in a less strong league than had been the case in the years earlier, like has been the case here.
As time went on Capello’s mark on the side became more pronounced and the football less prosaic, especially after losing their once-in-a-generation striker, Marco van Basten. Liverpool will hope this last comparison does not come to pass but, even if it does, Slot may well be the man to continue their dominance beyond what looks increasingly like a procession to the title this season.
Player of the Match – Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)
The Dutch forward is an increasingly exciting presence in the Liverpool side and with so much attention being drawn to the other flank, he is well equipped to take advantage. Against a good opponent in James Justin, in both halves Gakpo was putting in dangerous balls from the left flank and, when given extra time, was smart enough to sum up his options and guide home the key goal before the break.
Player Ratings
Liverpool: Alisson 6; Alexander-Arnold 7, Gomez 6, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 6; Mac Allister 7, Gravenberch 7; Salah 8, Jones 7, Gakpo 9*; Nunez 6.
Subs: Szoboszlai 7, Jota 6, Tsimikas, Endo, Elliott.
Leicester: Stolarczyk 7; Justin 6, Coady 6, Vestergaard 7, Kristiansen 6; Winks 6, Soumare 6; Mavididi 6, Ayew 6, El Khannouss 5; Daka 5.
Subs: Buonanotte 6, Skipp 6, Decordova-Reid, Okoli.
Match Highlights
4′ SALAH GOES CLOSE! Gakpo’s deep cross finds Salah but his effort is pushed away at the back post by Stolarczyk and then the Foxes keeper does well to smother Jones and stop him bagging the rebound.
6′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0-1 LEICESTER (AYEW) That was unexpected! Ayew outmuscles Robertson to take control of Mavididi’s low centre and then spins and angles a low shot into the corner past Alisson.
25′ OFF THE POST! Robertson flicks a header from Alexander-Arnold’s cross and the ball hits the post before ricocheting off the keeper and going behind.
45′ OFF THE BAR! Alexander-Arnold nudges the ball wide to Salah and he curls an effort starting well wide of the goal which comes back and clips the crossbar – Stolarczyk could only look on and hope.
49′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (JONES) 2-1 LEICESTER Intricate play inside the box as Salah slides the ball to Mac Allister in the right hand side of the six-yard box and his low cross is knocked home by Jones.
45+1′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (GAKPO) 1-1 LEICESTER Gakpo just gets past the challenge of Justin on the edge of the area and then pauses to sum up his options before curling an unstoppable effort just inside the far post.
49′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (JONES) 2-1 LEICESTER Intricate play inside the box as Salah slides the ball to Mac Allister in the right hand side of the six-yard box and his low cross is knocked home by Jones.
82′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (SALAH) 3-1 LEICESTER The King strikes! And a fine goal it was too. It did not look like he had much space to work with as he turned inside Kristiansen but he aimed his strike between the Foxes fill back and Vestergaard and inside the far post.
Key Stats
- 100 – Mo Salah has reached a century of home goals in the Premier League.
- 50 – Jordan Ayew reached his half-century of goals in England.
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