Liverpool were simply too strong for Leicester City at Anfield. Jota scored both goals but the scoreline could have been greater but for Kasper Schmeichel.
Match Report
Only two clubs have defeated Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool this season, but the Reds got their own back on Leicester City on Thursday night with a 2-0 win.
The Foxes were the last side to beat Liverpool in a 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium in December, but could not repeat the feat at Anfield.
Attacking talent dominated
Much of the talk ahead of this fixture surrounded Mohamed Salah, who returned from the Africa Cup of Nations this week and came into Liverpool's squad for this tie.
Another eye with many eyes upon him was Colombian forward Luis Diaz, who started his first game for the club after joining from Porto.
The hosts looked comfortable throughout, with Salah and Diaz among those to have fine chances saved by Kasper Schmeichel.
Jota makes the difference
Instead, it was Diogo Jota who got on the scoresheet as he prodded home Virgil Van Dijk's header which was initially saved by Schmeichel following a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.
The Portugal international added a second late on, as Fabinho recovered the ball and Joel Matip provided a defence-splitting pass for Jota to convert for a second time.
Title race is on
Liverpool remain nine points behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City even after this victory, but do have a game in hand.
The result is more concerning for Brendan Rodgers, as his side fell to defeat for the third time in their last four games, having only won once since the win over Liverpool in December.
Following a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Nottingham Forest at the weekend, and with Leicester dropping to 12th after this result, pressure continues to grow on the coach.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' CHANCE! Maddison's shot saved by Alisson
19' CLOSE! Alexander-Arnold's shot denied by Schmeichel
33' GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Leicester (Jota)
42' CHANCE! Firmino's long shot saved
48' CLOSE! Jota's shot stopped
49' Yellow Card! Firmino booked
69' Luis Diaz's shot wide out
75' MISS! Salah's shot stopped by Schmeichel
78' OFF THE BAR! Salah nearly scores
79' AGAIN! Luis Diaz's shot denied by Schmeichel
86' GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Leicester (Jota)
Line-ups
Liverpool XI: Thiago, Matip, Alisson, Firmino, Van Dijk, Fabinho, Robertson, Jota, Alexander-Arnold, L. Díaz, Curtis Jones
Subs: Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Minamino, Naby Keita, Tsimikas, Kelleher, Konate, Elliott
Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Albrighton, Amartey, Ndidi, Maddison, P. Daka, Lookman, Justin, K. Dewsbury-Hall, Soumaré, L. Thomas
Subs: Vestergaard, Ward, Pereira, Ayoze Perez, Tielemans, Iheanacho, Soyuncu, Choudhury, Barnes
BasiBoois
203
moment of respect for our new guy
Unitedforlife6
166
Klopp showing everyone that you don't need recognized superstars upfront, just hard working, disciplined players who follow your instructions
27etoto
163
Liverpool scouts are the best in the world
dhubow
150
Luis DIAZ entering the dressing room after an outstanding performance on his debut
LIVERPOOLIAN_INTER
118
Sing with me lads 🎤 “Oh he wears the number 2️⃣0️⃣, He will take us to victory, And when he’s running down the left wing, He’ll cut inside and score for LFC 🔴⚪️, He’s a lad from 🇵🇹, Better than Figo don’t you know, Oh he’s name is DIOGO‼️,” Cheers to my fellow Liverpool supporters 🍻
EMLYNBARVAN
113
Man city to Liverpool you're still coming
JuniorGunner•••
99
little players are the most dangerous
Teddymiles
82
Let separate the men from the boys 😂😂😂😂😂
Ufotson
78
Liverpool fans right now
Muhdnabiljika2003
63
Luiz Diaz debut at ANFIELD ❤️ Diego Jota on it again 🔥 Mo Salah returns ⚔️ Clean sheat 🔥 YNWA❤️❤️
zakariasuleiman
61
The Egyptian king is back💥❤
Blaugranada
59
Underrated diogoal jota
Sidikopr
51
This Jota guy is becoming unbecoming
basalive
43
Here is the GIF, click: https://bit.ly/3uWBPJ9
Kapdknsz
39
Thiago give me goosebumps with some outstanding passes. if he keep up this form it will be difficult to rest him. A clean sheet for the shot blocker.
TTKiani
34
Liverpool had a very very good game, everyone played very good, Diaz had an excellent debut, Salah almost scored a beautiful curler on his return from AFCON. The Chase Is On. 🔥 🔥
themainman
26
Klopp showing everyone that you don't need recognized superstars upfront, just hard working, disciplined players who follow your instructions
I really wonder how these guys do it.. they get players which are almost never heard of and turn them to world class players... really impressive
mukoya_kanyengo
12
Imagine he doesn't get the instructions well from the coach because the language barrier, what will this boy do when he gets the first hand information straight from the coach? man oh man
decbdryz
9
leicester fans today.
Mikeson
9
jota is just the most underestimated and underrated player
Icardi’sh
9
"Salah seeing Jota closing In in the race for the Golden boot"
Hipbcdmrt
8
Respect to Diego Jota
vizilrsuz
8
Salah did well. More to come on Sunday @least two goals insha Allah
Hipbcdmrt
8
Liverpool on fire 🔥🔥 Debutant guy nice performance