Liverpool 3-1 Leicester: Salah claimed victory Gakpo produced a masterclass this time
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Liverpool have a habit of composing a song about weathering the storm. They had to go through the fog here and got lost when Leicester City took the lead. But they finished seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, with the added advantage of having a game in hand against second-placed Chelsea.
Returns were destined to be Jurgen Klopp’s strong suit, even if his good fortune continued where it left off. As striker Curtis Jones said, Klopp laid the foundations for Liverpool’s good fortune “and Arne Slot chased after him. ” Liverpool’s praise for counterattacking in Klopp Traditionally earned its 22nd victory in 26 games under the Dutchman. In a department where so many others are consistently inconsistent, Liverpool stand out as the exception to the rule.
It helps that they have a sizeable cast of match-winners. If Mohamed Salah tops the bill, he also completed victory, bending in a shot to get the goal that eluded him earlier when he drew a fine save and then hit the bar. Yet the game was decided by Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones, a duo who began the season on the bench and who might not figure in Slot’s first-choice team. “It is nice to have so many options,” said Slot. Gakpo is emerging as one of the most enticing, joining Salah and the rested Luis Diaz in double figures for the season with a superlative equaliser. An assist means he now averages a goal contribution every 98 minutes this season.
His equalizing goal had a specific cruelty for the defeated coach. Gakpo took a step forward during his six months under Ruud van Nistelrooy at PSV Eindhoven. He rewarded him by canceling out Leicester’s credit with a goal that condemned an influence on his career to a night in the relegation zone. Not that Gakpo’s goal, a very good shot from 25 meters, turns out to come from Van Nistelrooy’s repertoire: he scored few goals from outside the penalty area. But it was a surprising finish. “It’s something he practices a lot in training,” Salah said. And it brought a change that Liverpool had threatened.
Liverpool produced the right reaction when they were behind, without panicking or being too passive when given a lot of possession. Sometimes tension is revealing, and this is one of the opportunities. “Leicester showed determination to hold on to their merit for as long as they did. Crucial,” said Slot. They lifted us up and in the first half, we kept going. “
Some of their recent matches may have been more eventful than he would have liked. Liverpool have now conceded nine goals in their last four league games. Without Jamie Vardy, sitting it out with a minor injury, Leicester soon struck anyway. Jordan Ayew met Stephy Mavididi’s low cross, then spun, leaving Andy Robertson turning in the wrong direction, before beating Alisson at his near post. “One moment where we underestimated the situation that led to a chance and a goal,” rued Slot. “You have to work really hard to come back into the game.”
However, Liverpool were relentless. They had a lot of crosses and corner kicks. Premier League debutant Jakub Stolarczyk, replacing Danny Ward, made a point-blank save from Salah after 3 minutes. The carpentry was overloaded. Robertson headed the opposite post from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross. Salah shot off the crossbar.
Then Gakpo levelled following a pass from Mac Allister. The World Cup winner had two assists in a few minutes, either side of half-time, following an overlapping run when his cutback was met by Jones; as with the Argentinian’s strike at Tottenham on Sunday, Liverpool were rewarded for getting two of their central midfielders in the box at the same time. “I liked the second goal,” said Slot. “That was a team goal.” Jones struck on his 100th Premier League appearance, receiving a congratulatory text from Klopp.
The scoring was completed when Gakpo swept the ball to the right flank and Salah bent in a shot for his 19th goal of the season and his 100th home Premier League strike.
Liverpool may have scored more goals in the past without Darwin Nunez’s tantrums. He was offside when Gakpo shot, interfering with play on a night when few of his interventions worked in Liverpool’s favor; in fact, not a shot placed over the crossbar.
And in his quest for a third goal, Slot brought on Dominik Szoboszlai, who then got the booking that will bring a ban. He will not play at West Ham on Sunday but Liverpool will go there with a commanding lead in the title race.
Meanwhile, Leicester will host long-suffering Manchester City. They had allowed 82 shots to their warring sides in Van Nistelrooy’s first 4 games and scored an unwanted century in the fifth. In his home Holland he disputed the name with Slot. Es possible that he is now destined for Liverpool. “It’s too early to have fun,” Slot said, cautious as ever. But at this rate, Liverpool will be celebrating in May.
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