Liverpool 4 - 1 Leicester City: Yet again, foxes' fall short at Anfield
This weekend saw Liverpool host Premier League champions Leicester City for the first time in their extended Anfield ground.
Leicester City traveled to Anfield which saw an attendance of 51,232, the biggest crowd at Anfield since 1977.
Leicester City went into the match without a win on the road to Liverpool in 16 years, their form this season didn’t help matters.
An opening day defeat to newly promoted Hull City saw the foxes needing much needed points as Arsenal traveled from London to the King Power.
Leicester City held on to a goal-less draw that weekend after a much better defensive display, with Huth returning from his suspension, replacing new signing Luis Hernández who had a shaky debut in the opening weekend.
As Swansea traveled to the East Midlands, Leicester City looked to be getting into gear going forward and a solid defensive showing at the back for the first 70 minutes until Swansea scored, after which, the foxes seemed to do their best to hand Swansea at least a point.
Swansea didn’t accept the invitation however and Leicester now sit on 4 points after 3 matches, an equal points tally to today’s opponents Liverpool.
Leicester City will have hoped to see club record signing Islam Slimani feature today however he didn’t even make the bench, with Claudio Ranieri electing to send out the same starting 11 that beat Swansea City before the international break.
Todays starting XI #LivLei pic.twitter.com/eO0OSNw0yV
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 10, 2016
It’s not only been a mixed bag for Leicester, Klopp’s Liverpool side have also blown hot and cold in these early fixtures.
After an impressive attacking display against Arsenal, winning 4 – 3 away from home, they then went on the road to Burnley but failed to have any meaningful impact, with the final score being 2 – 0 to the newly promoted side.
A 1 – 1 draw to Tottenham will be seen as a failure after the number of chances Liverpool created, Klopp will have demanded much more from his side today.
Confirmed #LFC team and substitutes v @LCFC#LFCvLCFCpic.twitter.com/P2460vuUkZ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 10, 2016
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City in action with Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
First Half
The first half saw Leicester City attacking Liverpool’s famous Kop.
A positive start saw Leicester pressing Liverpool’s midfield and with Danny Drinkwater trying to feed Vardy, the ball came back out to Okazaki who had an early pop at goal but saw the ball fly over Liverpool’s bar.
The 8th minute saw Liverpool string a couple of nice passes together and after a clever dummy from Sturridge saw Lallana have the chance to slide the ball through, luckily for Leicester, captain Wes Morgan followed his man and kicked the ball out for a corner.
The 13th minute of the match gave us the first goal, unfortunately for Leicester fans it was for the team in red.
Sturridge won the ball in midfield after some fantastic tracking back, James Milner then picked up the ball and slid a perfectly weighted ball in for Roberto Firmino who slotted it past Kasper Schmeichel.
It’s no wonder why James Milner was Liverpool’s top assister last season following his move from Manchester City.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Rachel Holborn/CameraSport via Getty Images)
Daniel Amartey looked a shadow of himself against Swansea City before the international break during the first half and in the 28th minute, a late challenge on Wijnaldum saw him enter the referee’s book.
Just two minutes later Liverpool strike again!
This time it’s summer signing Mane slotting the ball home after receiving a fantastic back-heeled pass from Daniel Sturridge. 2 – 0 to Liverpool.
Things went from bad to worse for Leicester City who in the 34th minute saw right-back Danny Simpson pull up with a hamstring injury.
With little right-back cover, Ranieri elected to bring summer signing and usual centre-back Luis Hernandez on rather than push Amartey to right-back and bring on Mendy in his place.
3 minutes later superstar striker Jamie Vardy finds the back of the net! However, it was harder to miss than to score.
A short goalkick to Lucas saw him come under pressure from Shinji Okazaki. Lucas then panicked, wentto pass the ball back to Mignolet but misplaces it, going straight Jamie Vardy’s feet for a tap in.
As the referee blows for half time, Leicester go into their dressing room 2 – 1 down.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Ahmed Musa of Leicester City reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Second Half
Half-time saw Shinji Okazaki get replaced by Ahmed Musa, a positive change for the foxes.
After just 4 minutes Leicester City recieve their first corner of the half, however Liverpool goalkeeper Mignolet punches the ball clear, not before giving Robert Huth a bloody nose.
In the 51st minute, Liverpool again, tried to play out from the back and again looked unconvincing, with Mignolet clearing the ball just in time after positive pressing from the blues.
A positive start to the second half from Leicester City was cut short after Adam Lallana blasted the ball home to put Liverpool two goals ahead for the second time.
His Gerrard-esque strike flew into the top corner, there was nothing Kasper Schmeichel could do about that one.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Adam Lallana of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
In the 75th Minute, PFA Player of The Year Riyad Mahrez made a good run from the right side of the pitch, cutting inside and having his shot deflected out for a corner. A positive run from a player who’s had a very off day.
2 minutes later, Ahmed Musa floats a perfect cross to Jamie Vardy who rises well to meet it, unfortunately for the travelling side, the ball went straight to Mignolet.
Commiserations again for Leicester City in the dying minutes of the game, whilst pressing high up the field looking for a goal to get back into the game, Liverpool break at pace.
Schmeichel charged off his line to meet Mane but the Danish international is too slow as Mane thunders past him and sets up Firmino for his second of the game.
The game ended 4 – 1 to Liverpool and Leicester City still haven’t managed to claim 3 points at Anfield in 16 years. Better luck next season, assuming the foxes avoid relegation.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Manager Claudio Ranieri of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 10, 2016 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Post-Match comments
A poor, lifeless display from Leicester City showed the weaknesses in the squad but also how much the foxes are missing the defensive back-up of N’Golo Kante who left the East Midlands to play football in London with Chelsea.
Without an anchor in midfield, Danny Drinkwater is left solely as both a creator and having to break up the play.
After his performance against Swansea, many thought that Daniel Amartey could pick up the reigns from Kante, however if he continues to play as he did today, he’ll be unlikely to even make the bench.
More from Foxes of Leicester
Good news for Leicester is the depth they have in that position, with both Mendy and Amartey being able to play as holding midfielders and club veteran Andy King being able to step in, however he’d be preferred as an attacking option alongside Drinkwater.
Many fans have suggested Shinji Okazaki to replace Kante in midfield, not for his defensive prowess but for his work-rate, which was key for Kante and he was quite literally, everywhere at once.
This isn’t to take away from a fantastic Liverpool performance.
Liverpool’s charismatic manager spoke to the press after the game, saying:
“Yes of course it was a great performance in the 98 minutes or so. It was a good challenge for us today because I know that we can be really strong this year. We need to maintain belief in our style, belief in our play. We played calm football today.”
When speaking of the extended stand he said:
“It’s a wonderful place to play football, and it was time to give a few more people an opportunity to watch our games. With the noise we have to change our attitude and cope with the noise and we did that.”
Klopp’s side have been a wildcard over the past 6 months, you’re never sure which Liverpool will turn up. The one which will thrash the champions of England 4 – 1, or the ones that will lose to a newly promoted Burnley side 2 – 0.
When firing on all cylinders, Liverpool are a fantastic team to watch and Leicester City fans can not begrudge the fact that on the day, the better team won.
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