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Liverpool 1 Leicester City 1 | Talking Points

Liverpool failed to increase the gap at the top of the table to seven points on Wednesday night as Leicester put a dent in their title aspirations.

Before the visit of Leicester, the Reds had managed 16 goals in their last four league matches at Anfield and when Sadio Mane put them ahead on the second minute, it was looking like a long evening ahead for Claude Puel’s side. Yet the Foxes limited Klopp’s side to few opportunities and arguably, they could have easily won the game themselves.

James Maddison should have done better from a headed opportunity on the 25th minute and that was a warning for Liverpool that Leicester weren’t going to make it easy. It was on the 45th minute that they were made to pay as Harry Maguire slotted past Alisson to level it.

There were little significant opportunities to talk about in the second half and the match petered out for both sides to share the points. The Reds had a considerable opportunity on Wednesday night to state a claim they were there to win the title and they perhaps failed in this job but the gap now sits at five points and the Reds are one step closer to their first Premier League title.

Irrational Robertson

After taking an early lead, the Reds failed to put Leicester under pressure and after missing a few opportunities themselves, Leicester made the league leaders pay. Shortly before the break, Leicester broke down the wing and Andy Robertson’s clumsy foul gave Leicester the opportunity to go in level. Ricardo Pierera’s free-kick was cleared by the Liverpool defence only to fall to Ben Chilwell whose header back into the box was met by Harry Maguire who calmly slotted home.

Ultimately, there was no need to give the free-kick away in the first place. The half was coming to an end and Robertson was defending two on one yet decided to bring Demari Gray down and give away the free-kick which Martin Atkinson had no choice but to award. Liverpool were perhaps fortunate to not give away a penalty shortly after they broke the deadlock too as Jordan Henderson pulled down James Maddison after some sloppy defensive play. If Liverpool are to win the league then it is pointless fouls like this which need to be cancelled out of their game and I’m sure Klopp would agree.

Another point in the bag or two points lost?

As a Leicester fan, a night I remember from the title winning season was when Leicester conceded late against West Brom in a 2-2 draw at the King Power. I felt like that was the title gone, we’d blown it. Yet the following evening, both Tottenham and Arsenal dropped three points in losing their respective fixtures.



After Manchester City’s loss against Newcastle on Tuesday evening, the Reds had a superb chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points and they would have had ‘one hand on the title’. Yet after drawing to Leicester they essentially dropped two points in their quest for glory. There’s two ways the draw can be looked upon from a Liverpool perspective – another point closer to the title or two points dropped but however fans decide to look at it, it’s another point more than City and the gap is now five instead of four.

Harry Maguire back to his best

Just over four weeks ago, Jonny Evans put in a spectacular performance for the Foxes at Goodison Park in a match where Leicester went back to the Midlands with all three points. At Anfield, it was Evans defensive partner beside him who was the rock at the back. The England international put in a man of the match performance on Merseyside and his goal meant his side came away with a point.

The central defender was impeccable on Wednesday evening and to keep Liverpool and especially Mo Salah quite for most of the evening is an achievement in itself. Since returning from the World Cup Maguire has had a difficult season and has not been at his best whilst also battling with injury crises. Yet at Anfield, Leicester’s central defender was a leader at the back and was imperative to reducing Liverpool to only one goal.

Quite Salah

Despite still sitting at the top of the goal scoring charts, last night was a game in which many thought Mo Salah would add to his 16 goals this campaign. Yet the ‘Egyptian King’ struggled against the Foxes and Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans had the Liverpool man on lock all night.

Salah has only failed to score against two other clubs outside of the top six this season – Burnley and Everton respectively although they have only faced each other once this season in comparison to playing Leicester twice. Similar to earlier in the season at the King Power, Salah was limited to few opportunities and failed to pick up a goal or assist during the 90 minutes.

Any additions needed? 

At times this season, Klopp’s Liverpool have been unplayable and thoroughly deserve their position at the top of the table. In terms of additions, there won’t be any new faces in the Liverpool squad today and Klopp seems to be happy with his teams position.



As for the Foxes, they are close to agreeing a deal to bring youngster Youri Tielemans to the King Power in a swap deal with Adrian Silva which will see the Belgian join the Foxes until the end of the season. Both Wilfred Ndidi and Nampalys Mendy have performed well in the middle of the field for the Foxes yet the addition of Tielemans will give Puel the chance to mix his side up and may also allow James Maddison to excel in a further forward role.

Eamon Kitching

Leicester City fan still holding onto our 15/16 Premier League success.

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