YOU have to wonder what the champions will be like when everyone is fit again.
The injuries keep happening – and there was potentially another blow last night – yet still Liverpool find a way to win.
Diogo Jota helped Liverpool ease past Leicester to extend their Anfield unbeaten runCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
Jonny Evans headed into his own net to break the deadlock after just 21 minutesCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Roberto Firmino got a much-needed goal late on to put the icing on the cakeCredit: Reuters
Because if there was anything to take the winds out of the sails of Tottenham, Chelsea and Leicester fans, who are allowing themselves to dream for a brief moment due to this dysfunctional season, it was this record-breaking performance at Anfield.
Liverpool made it 64 matches unbeaten at home in the top-flight for the first time. While Leicester ended their previous long-winning run in 1981, they never laid a glove on the home team.
The gulf-between these two in an entertaining match at Anfield was massive. Far greater than anyone would have expected, all things considered.
Jurgen Klopp’s team had not been playing particularly well but this was their best performance in the Premier League.
And that is despite the loss of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and skipper Jordan Henderson due to injury along with Mo Salah as he is self isolating.
And at the start of the second half, the club’s medical staff were preparing for another issue as Naby Keita – having played well – left the pitch with a hamstring problem.
Even so, Diogo Jota – and what a signing he is proving to be – became the first player to score in his first four League matches at Anfield.
James Milner, who has had a door named in his honour at the club’s new training ground, made his first League start of the season.
Even though he was targeted by Leicester, they could not take the stand-in right-back off his hinges.
The 7-2 loss at Aston VIlla, albeit extremely embarrassing, was maybe even a good thing for Liverpool.
It proved to be a major kick up the backside, a reminder of what can happen if a team loses its focus.
So despite being hurt so incredibly hard with misfortune, Liverpool have rattled off six wins and two draws – – including the point at City – since the defeat at Villa.
Beat Atalanta on Wednesday in the Champions League to secure a place in the knockout stages and Klopp will be able to rest a string of key players in the final two matches of the group stages.
Yet this convincing defeat was a big blow for Brendan Rodgers, who came so close to winning the title on Merseyside and will feel his team have an outside chance of finishing top this season.
James Maddison and Jamie Vardy were nowhere near at their best, the defending was really poor and the team were saved by an outstanding performance from keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
From the very start, Schmeichel needed to be at his best as he delivered decent blocks from Curtis Jones and the super-confident Jota.
But the Danish international was understandably caught off guard when Jonny Evans inadvertently headed James Milner’s corner into the net.
Evans seemed more interested in wrestling with Mane than concentrating on the set-piece and the ball came off the side of his head.
Diogo Jota doubled the advantage moments before the breakCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
Brazilian Firmino rose highest to head home a third late onCredit: PA:Press Association
Harvey Barnes should have scored but delivered a poor finish following a one-two with Vardy.
And the ever-impressive James Justin, having switched over to the left for Leicester, had every reason to be annoyed when a shot deflected wide off the head of Joel Matip but the referee Chris Kavanagh awarded a goal kick.
From that moment, the game drifted away from Leicester although they could have few complaints over Liverpool’s outstanding second goal which came after a 32-pass move lasting over 90 seconds following a Milner throw-in.
Curtis Jones switched play to Andy Robertson who stepped past Marc Albrighton before his perfect pass was met by a firm header from Jota, although it was bad defending from CHristian Fuchs who got the wrong side of his marker.
Klopp looked both bewildered and angry on the touchline when Liverpool lost Keita early in the second half and Milner moved into his position before instantly creating a chance for Mane who forced another good save from Schmeichel.
Jurgen Klopp’s team are now 64 games unbeaten at AnfieldCredit: AP:Associated Press
Jota was denied with another good stop while Evans did his best to score a second own goal but headed against the post.
And in the most bizarre moment of the contest, Firmino fired a shot against the post, failed to score the rebound and then Mane saw a deflected effort hit the woodwork.
It looked it was not Firmino’s night and scoring at Anfield these days hardly comes easy.
Yet he found himself unmarked to plant a header past Schmeichel following Milner’s corner.
A three-goal scoreline was a fair reflection of this game.
So if Leicester want to realistically challenge – and the same goes for Chelsea and Spurs – they must do a bit better.
Psychologically, this felt like a big win for the champions.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says that he has a job and will not take on an international role for Germany
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
