ClapLeicester City came into the game against Liverpool hoping that they could cause something of a stir and could make their intention to challenge for the title between now and the end of the season clear. Alas, as reported by BBC and The Guardian, they fell quite some distance short as they were battered by the league leaders at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes picked an utterly horrendous moment to have their worst game of the season so far, not really threatening or even challenging the Reds in any way, shape or form. It did take Liverpool a while to get into a rhythm, with Roberto Firmino finally opening the scoring in the 31st minute.
Making a statement
From that point on you could make the argument that the game was pretty tight, but that was really only true from the perspective of the scoreline until, with around 20 minutes to go, Leicester City collapsed.
Firmino and James Milner both got a goal each with Trent Alexander-Arnold quite literally pulling every single string imaginable, before the sensational full-back got himself on the scoresheet too to make it four.
After the game, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers was clearly disappointed – as you’d expect him to be.
“We played our last two games against two of arguably the best teams in the history of the Premier League.
“We didn’t have enough patience in the first half. We never secured the ball which meant we had to defend for long periods really.
“The players gave everything. It’s a great learning game for us. Credit to Liverpool they played well.
“We just didn’t have long enough periods with the ball. When you don’t against a top team – world champions – it becomes difficult for you.
Pushing the pace
“We are at the halfway point now. We are 19 games in. It is the bigger picture with these guys. We have come a long way in this period. The players have been brilliant and this is another learning game for them, they see the physicality you need to compete.
“People were trying to put us in a race with Liverpool but we know where we are.”
Liverpool manager Klopp, on the other hand, was notably elated.
“I am happy about that. I appreciate it because I do not take it for granted and the boys have to do it every three days. We had big chances at the start of the game, did not score with them but stayed in the game and controlled it.
“It is was difficult for Leicester to get into the game, both teams felt the intensity of the season but we controlled it more and maybe Leicester were not as aggressive, maybe because of us and our positioning. We scored a first goal, super, super, cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino can score from that situation.
“We struggled a bit with their build-up in the second half and we won the balls immediately and then scored the second goal, then the boys were flying. It looked really nice.
“1-0 is not even a result, it was a moment and it could have been difficult when they had set-piece but that is OK, I don’t expect a game like this to have a free run because they have so much quality and the season Leicester have had. We were very concentrated and the goals were absolutely nice and an important day for us.”
