Liverpool 2-0 Leicester: Jota struck in both halves to give The Reds another win

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