Arne Slot’s men had to come back to take the 3 points
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League leaders Liverpool hosted and beat Leicester City in the Premier League in the late Boxing Day kick-off – but it was not as routine as that for Arne Slot’s team, who went seven points clear at the top of the table with the victory.
Despite 17 places between the teams at kick-off, it was the Foxes who took the lead early on, a low cross from the left met by Jordan Ayew who spun and finished, via a deflection off Virgil van Dijk, into the bottom corner. If the league leaders were concerned at that they didn’t show it, with a dominant display thereafter, but it took until stoppage time at the end of the first half to find a leveller as Cody Gakpo cut in and bent one into the top corner.
Right after the restart Curtis Jones netted from close range to complete the turnaround, with Mohamed Salah wrapping up the points towards the end of the game to send the Reds well clear heading into the new year.
Follow all the reactions from Anfield below:
Liverpool are accustomed to singing about walking through the storm. They had to walk through the fog here, losing their way when Leicester City took the lead. But they ended up striding seven points clear at the Premier League summit, with the bonus that they retain a game in hand on second-place Chelsea.
Returns had to be Jurgen Klopp’s strong suit. If Arne Slot supervised more than he would have liked, the newest one was called upon and executed. The 22nd win in 26 matches under the Dutchman’s leadership is praised. In a department where so many others are consistently inconsistent, Liverpool stands 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 when he drew a fine save and then hit the bar. Yet the game was decided by Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones, two who began the season on the bench and who might not figure in Slot’s first-choice team. Gakpo pressed his case to do so, joining Salah and the rested Luis Diaz in double figures for the season with a superlative equaliser and ending his night with an assist as well.
He had a specific cruelty towards the defeated coach. Gakpo took a step forward during his six months under Ruud van Nistelrooy at PSV Eindhoven. He paid for it by nullifying Leicester’s merit with a goal that condemned an influence of his career to a night in the relegation zone. that Gakpo’s goal, a very good shot from 25 meters, turns out to be Van Nistelrooy’s repertoire: he scored few goals from outside the penalty area. But it brought a change of course that Liverpool had threatened.
Joyful Richard:
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester: Salah claimed victory Gakpo produced a masterclass this time
Mo Salah speaking to Amazon Prime:
“To be fair, it’s a smart result. The way they prepared before the game was difficult for us, especially in the first half, but it was a wonderful result.
“Cody gave us confidence second half to try and win the game, at 1-0 you just focus on equalising. A minute before the half time and a great goal.
“No matter how much the team wins, that’s the most important thing. I hope we win the Premier League; That’s wonderful (to be clear), but we’re going to focus on every game. It’s different, but the most important thing is to stay humble. I hope we don’t get injured, we need to win the championship.
Liverpool are seven ahead of Chelsea, although Arsenal can cut that figure by one point by beating Ipswich at home.
Given that the Reds are top of the Champions League, in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and have Accrington in the FA Cup, things are going pretty well for Arne Slot’s side at the moment.
Jota nods a free-kick across the face of goal and Van Dijk is lurking, but can’t rise above three defenders to head in a fourth goal.
Gakpo wins a ultimate corner to conclude the match, Szoboszlai takes. . . he connects with Tsimikas and Salah ends up crossing, yet it is claimed.
That’s it, the whistle blows and Liverpool win again and take a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Salah almost freed Jota in the area, but Vestergaard saw him from a corner, which Leicester defended. Another delayed replacement for Van Nistelrooy, Okoli replaces Coady at full-back.
There are a few minutes left.
We move into injury time – Liverpool looked for more than they were given in the first half, but arguably didn’t bother too much after an extra nine minutes were added this time.
Maybe a bit strange on the part of the referees, but it was basically themselves who took this moment at this moment with the VAR controls.
A final sub for Liverpool as Elliott comes on for Mac Allister.
Tsimikas and Endo upgrade Robertson and Gravenberch, while Slot rests some key starters late in the game. “DeCordova-Reid upgrades Mavididi for Leicester”.
Space enthusiasts now have a beautiful voice, things are almost sealed, expressing their gratitude for being at the top of the table at the end of 2024.
Here’s the finisher! It is undeniable and we have noticed it many times: Salah played on the right wing, entered the field, this time he did not even beat his player, but moved him and coolly curled him towards the far post.
Much smoother and foolproof, and I’ll give you a hand approving Gakpo’s previous pass, which was perfect tonight.
The best of the new year for Liverpool.
Szoboszlai breaks into Ayew, who runs away. . . yellow card and suspension. He did not start tonight to check how to avoid this scenario, so he will miss the game against West Ham.
Twice in a row, Leicester players fell to the ground before committing fouls; Each time, the referee signals them to move away and tells them to continue.
Slot urges his players to continue and finish this match. Salah bursts into the area from the right channel and scores the goal: easy save.
There are the subs as noted – another no-show for Nunez in terms of the scoresheet and not one of his more impactful showings, feels Richard Jolly:
“That perhaps summed up Darwin Núñez’s night: an offside cost Cody Gakpo a second goal. Núñez spent much of his time interfering in the game, to no benefit to Liverpool.
They had to fight their way through the fog here, getting lost when Leicester City took the lead. But they ended up having seven clear points at the top of the Premier League, with the added advantage that they held a game in hand against the second division. Chelsea were placed.
Returns had to be Jurgen Klopp’s strong point. If Arne Slot supervised more than he would have liked, the newest was required and executed. The 22nd victory in 26 games under the leadership of the Dutchman is praised. 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 when he drew a fine save and then hit the bar. Yet the game was decided by Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones, two who began the season on the bench and who might not figure in Slot’s first-choice team. Gakpo pressed his case to do so, joining Salah and the rested Luis Diaz in double figures for the season with a superlative equaliser and ending his night with an assist as well.
It had a particular cruelty for the beaten manager. Gakpo improved in his six months under Ruud van Nistelrooy at PSV Eindhoven. He repaid him by cancelling out Leicester’s advantage with a strike that condemned an influence on his career to a night in the relegation zone. Not that Gakpo’s goal, a stunning strike from 25 yards, seemed to come from Van Nistelrooy’s repertoire: he scored famously few from outside the penalty area. But it brought a turnaround that Liverpool had always threatened.
Richard Jolly:
Mo Salah speaking to Amazon Prime:
“To be fair, it’s a smart result. Considering the way they prepared before the game, it was tricky for us, especially in the first half, but it was a wonderful result.
“Cody gave us confidence second half to try and win the game, at 1-0 you just focus on equalising. A minute before the half time and a great goal.
“As much as the team winning, that’s the most important thing. Hopefully we’ll win the Premier League – it’s great (being clear) but we’ll just focus on each game. It feels different but the most important thing is to stay humble. Hopefully we don’t get injuries, we really want to win the league.”
Liverpool are seven ahead of Chelsea, although Arsenal can cut that figure by one point if they beat Ipswich at home.
Given that the Reds are top of the Champions League, in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and have Accrington in the FA Cup, things are going pretty well for Arne Slot’s side at the moment.
Jota nods in a loose shot in front of goal and Van Dijk hides but beats three defenders to head in a fourth goal.
Gakpo wins one last corner to wrap up the match, Szoboszlai to take…he links with Tsimikas and Salah eventually crosses, but it’s claimed.
That’s it, the whistle blew and Liverpool won again and took a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Salah almost frees Jota into the box but Vestergaard gets over to ssee it behind for a corner, which Leicester defend. Another late change from Van Nistelrooy, Okoli on for Coady at the back.
There are a few minutes left.
We move into injury time – Liverpool looked for more than they were given in the first half, but arguably didn’t bother too much after an extra nine minutes were added this time.
Maybe a bit strange on the part of the referees, but it was basically themselves who took this moment at this moment with the VAR controls.
A definite replacement for Liverpool as Elliott replaces Mac Allister.
Tsimikas and Endo replaced Robertson and Gravenberch, while Slot rested some key starters late in the game. DeCordova-Reid replaces Mavididi for Leicester.
House enthusiasts have a big voice now, things are almost sealed, expressing their gratitude for being the best at the table by the end of 2024.
Here’s the finisher! It is so undeniable and we have noticed it on many occasions: Salah played on the right wing, he moves up, this time he doesn’t even beat his player, but he moves him and coolly curls him in from the far post.
So smoother and unerring – and an assist to go with the earlier goal for Gakpo, who has been excellent tonight.
The best of the new year for Liverpool.
Szoboszlai barges over Ayew who is on the run…yellow card and a suspension. He didn’t start tonight to try and prevent that very situation – he’ll miss the trip to West Ham as a result.
Twice in a row, Leicester players fall to the ground before committing fouls; moment the referee dismisses them and tells them to continue.
Slot urges its players to continue and finish this game. Salah bursts into the area from the right channel and achieves the goal: an easy save.
As we have already said, there are the substitutes: Núñez did not appear in terms of the minutes and none of his outstanding performances, says Richard Jolly:
“That would have possibly summed up Darwin Núñez’s night: for being offside, he charged Cody Gakpo with a second goal. Nunez spent much of his time interfering with the game, not for Liverpool’s benefit.
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