Liverpool go seven factors clear at prime after comeback win over Leicester

Liverpool went seven factors clear on the prime of the Premier League after a superb comeback win over Leicester.

Jordan Ayew’s early purpose surprised the Kop and regardless of lionising possession as half-time approached, The Foxes appeared at their most comfy in defence, with Arne Slot trying as riled as he has been all season with the Foxes dawdling on taking set items.

Then because the clock ticked to 45 minutes, Mo Salah’s extravagant curling effort hit the bar, earlier than Cody Gakpo’s effort from the opposite aspect of the penalty space discovered the online.

It took simply 4 minutes after the resumption for the sport to place past doubt by Curtis Jones’ close-range effort, and though it was the 82nd minute earlier than the lead was prolonged through a Salah pearler, the three factors by no means regarded unsure.

Liverpool now have a good hole to Chelsea on the prime with a sport in hand, whereas The Foxes slipped into the underside three.

Invoice Shankly to Bob Paisley is the go-to comparability for Arne Slot’s very good begin to taking on from Jurgen Klopp, however the Arrigo Sacchi to Fabio Capello one at Milan simply over 30 years in the past is perhaps extra apt. Along with his rejuvenation of the Rossoneri and revolutionary Serie A techniques, Sacchi led Milan to a number of European success and a solitary Serie A title.

Capello then guided Milan to a title in 1991/92, earlier than including two extra, in addition to two doubles and a Champions League triumph in 1994. Taking up from an iconic coach, Capello’s modifications had been slight, including a little bit construction however taking away solely a little bit of the journey away from the staff as they romped to a Serie A title – albeit in a much less sturdy league than had been the case within the years earlier, like has been the case right here.

As time went on Capello’s mark on the aspect turned extra pronounced and the soccer much less prosaic, particularly after dropping their once-in-a-generation striker, Marco van Basten. Liverpool will hope this final comparability doesn’t come to cross however, even when it does, Slot might be the person to proceed their dominance past what seems more and more like a procession to the title this season.

The Dutch ahead is an more and more thrilling presence within the Liverpool aspect and with a lot consideration being drawn to the opposite flank, he’s nicely outfitted to take benefit. In opposition to an excellent opponent in James Justin, in each halves Gakpo was placing in harmful balls from the left flank and, when given additional time, was sensible sufficient to sum up his choices and information house the important thing purpose earlier than the break.

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.

4′ SALAH GOES CLOSE! Gakpo’s deep cross finds Salah however his effort is pushed away on the again publish by Stolarczyk after which the Foxes keeper does nicely to smother Jones and cease him bagging the rebound.

6′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0-1 LEICESTER (AYEW) That was surprising! Ayew outmuscles Robertson to take management of Mavididi’s low centre after which spins and angles a low shot into the nook previous Alisson.

25′ OFF THE POST! Robertson flicks a header from Alexander-Arnold’s cross and the ball hits the publish earlier than ricocheting off the keeper and going behind.

45′ OFF THE BAR! Alexander-Arnold nudges the ball large to Salah and he curls an effort beginning nicely large of the purpose which comes again and clips the crossbar – Stolarczyk might solely look on and hope.

49′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (JONES) 2-1 LEICESTER Intricate play contained in the field as Salah slides the ball to Mac Allister in the fitting hand aspect of the six-yard field and his low cross is knocked house by Jones.

45+1′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (GAKPO) 1-1 LEICESTER Gakpo simply will get previous the problem of Justin on the sting of the realm after which pauses to sum up his choices earlier than curling an unstoppable effort simply contained in the far publish.

49′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (JONES) 2-1 LEICESTER Intricate play contained in the field as Salah slides the ball to Mac Allister in the fitting hand aspect of the six-yard field and his low cross is knocked house by Jones.

82′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (SALAH) 3-1 LEICESTER The King strikes! And a superb purpose it was too. It didn’t appear like he had a lot house to work with as he turned inside Kristiansen however he aimed his strike between the Foxes fill again and Vestergaard and contained in the far publish.

• 100 – Mo Salah has reached a century of house objectives within the Premier League.
• 50 – Jordan Ayew reached his half-century of objectives in England.