As the hunting horn rang out around the King Power Stadium, two teams emerged with the same goal in mind for two drastically different reasons. Leicester City, Premier League champions of seven short years ago, were now on the edge of dropping out of the same league and running out of games to change that. Liverpool, who were on the brink of winning an unprecedented quadruple last season, had endured a horrid season however were now remarkably hunting down a Champions League place on the back of a six-match winning streak. The scene was set.
The Foxes came out like they were the ones doing the hunting, buoyed on by a raucous home crowd, their desire and energy was visible to all. The only thing lacking was an end result and even though Luis Diaz pulled a shot wide of the near post and Fabinho sent a long-range effort over the crossbar, the home team started the better. It was in the 32nd minute that all changed.
Allison received the ball and played a long raking pass behind the Leicester defence which for some reason they let bounce and then when it looked like Faes was going to win the header, Luis Diaz pounced in first to nod the ball down the skippers. Henderson then rolled the ball out to Salah who was at the top of the box on the right. As other runners made their way into the box, Curtis Jones crept around the back and Salah played a sublime ball to the exact area and Jones made a difficult finish seem simple as he guided his half volley left foot finish beyond Iversen and into the far corner. If that didn’t silence the crowd then three short minutes later the balloon had truly been popped.
From open play, Liverpool entered into the Leicester half with a new verve and when Gakpo turned on the ball you could sense another wasn’t far away. He played the ball through to Salah who once again picked on the perfect pass for an intelligent Jones run and with one touch to set him up he swivelled and sent the ball into the back of the net for a second time. No one had ever doubted Jones’ talent but his recent run of starts and performances were now bearing fruit in the form of a quick-fire brace. The atmosphere and the match had changed in prompt fashion. Immediately, from the resulting kick-off, Liverpool somehow found themselves with a four on two bearing down on goal again and had Gakpo not shot directly at the Leicester keeper, it could have been calamitous. The remainder of the first half played out without any drama and the visitors entered the break in total control.
In the 52nd minute, when Harvey Barnes played a clever one-two on the edge of the box and sent a shot curling into the top right corner, only to be met by a big Brazilian glove and turned behind for a corner.
You’d be forgiven for thinking this match was played at Anfield as the away section was bellowing out their best rendition of Bobby Firmino’s song and the best part was he wasn’t even in the squad. However, he and Darwin Nunez requested to travel with the team. Unbelievably, this song drowned out the King Power stadium until the 71st minute. Henderson charged towards the Leicester box and was met with a challenge from either side. Johnny Evans appeared to get the ball but also the Liverpool man and a free kick was awarded. Up step Mo Salah and Trent Alexander Arnold. As the away fans continued to serenade Bobby, Mo Salah stepped over the ball and rolled it metres to the right and laser point precision Trent sent the ball sailing into the top right corner surely ending this contest once and for all and pushing the home team oh so closer to the brink. Salah had the final chance of the game when one-on-one with Iversen he put his shot wide. It was not his night to bring up a remarkable 20th goal for yet another season, but he has certainly played his part.
Overall, this is a result that most would have suggested before the game, particularly after Leicester’s previous loss to fellow relegation strugglers Everton. For the first 25-30 minutes Leicester put up a good fight but once that first goal went in it seemed like the inevitable was about to happen. As for Liverpool, the charge continues. Seven in a row now and all they can do is keep winning their matches and hope for results to go in their favour. Football is a funny game and there are many more twists and turns before this season ends.
