Leicester City 0-4 Liverpool: 3 Top performers from the game

Liverpool brushed aside Leicester City 4-0 at the King Power Stadium to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 13 points. The visitors began the game sharply and created a couple of chances within the opening minute.

Trent Alexander-Arnold struck a rasping drive from the edge of the box whereas Sadio Mane was guilty of missing a gilt-edged opportunity in the penalty area.

Though the hosts grew into the game slightly, the visitors still dominated proceedings as they clicked into gear seamlessly. Consequently, they went ahead in the 31st minute when Roberto Firmino nodded in Alexander-Arnold’s cross from the inside left channel.

After the break, the Reds completely overwhelmed the Foxes as they kept pushing and probing incessantly. And, in the 71st minute, their endeavours were rewarded when James Milner converted a penalty after Caglar Soyuncu had handled in the box.

Three minutes later, Firmino doubled his personal tally when he swept home Alexander-Arnold’s cross while the latter got into the scoring act in the 78th minute to add further gloss to the score-line.

Here is a look at the top performers from the encounter.

#3 Joe Gomez

Over the past couple of seasons, the youngster has been touted to become a colossal central defender for the Reds. However, a string of injuries have meant that he has had to warm the bench at times, especially with the improved form of Joel Matip.

In the preceding weeks though, Joe Gomez has been called into action and he hasn’t disappointed; a fact emphasized by another accomplished performance at the heart of the defence on Boxing Day.

At the King Power Stadium, the Englishman was presented the unenviable task of containing countryman, Jamie Vardy. However, Gomez passed that particular test with flying colours as he kept the league’s top scorer at an arm’s length throughout.

The defender didn’t allow the striker any room behind the defence, meaning that the latter had to look for options elsewhere. In the process, Vardy’s threat was significantly neuatralised as his most potent weapon was blunted.

Moreover, Gomez showcased the requisite awareness and maturity to drop off whenever required and allow Virgil Van Dijk to function as the spare man in central defence and mop up the danger.

Since the start of last season, Liverpool have enjoyed the luxury of a stable defensive unit, especially with Van Dijk at the helm. Yet, if Gomez keeps churning out such displays, they might even be a tougher proposition to tackle, moving forward.

#2 Roberto Firmino

A few days ago, Roberto Firmino popped up with the winner against Flamengo in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup. Thus, the Brazilian arrived at the King Power Stadium extremely high on confidence, especially considering he had also been the difference maker in the semi-final of the aforementioned competition.

And, unsurprisingly, the striker continued in a similar vein against the Foxes as he methodically put them to the sword.

Akin to countless previous occasions, the Brazilian dropped deep into the spaces between the opposition’s midfield and defence, meaning that he had the time and space to turn and pick out his next pass. Moreover, with him acting as an auxiliary central midfielder, the Reds were able to assert themselves in the middle third.

Additionally, his propensity to function as a false nine enabled the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to exploit the gaps he had created.

Most impressively though, the Brazilian combined his industry with ingenuity as he headed Liverpool ahead in the first half before he sealed the game with the Reds’ third.

While the opener was scored after he got goal-side of the defender, the second goal portrayed the composure Firmino boasts in the final third.

After being found by Alexander-Arnold, he took a touch, sent Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way and caressed the ball into the roof of the net.

Thus, through the course of the encounter, the Brazilian had showcased the myriad facets to his game and the value he adds to the Reds. And, inevitably, he also furthered his case of being dubbed as the best striker in the Premier League.

#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold produced an incredible performance

Over the past eighteen months, Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson’s chemistry has catapulted Liverpool as a force to be reckoned with. Subsequently, the stocks of both full-backs has risen substantially with many even labelling the former as the best right-back in the world. And, the Englishman lent further weight to those notions with an incredible display against Leicester.

From the outset, the right-back looked the Reds’ most effervescent attacking outlet as he kept overlapping on the wings. In the process, he allowed Salah to venture in-field and occupy the central defenders.

Additionally, he was a constant passing outlet high on the flanks, meaning that the midfielders were always accorded the opportunity to spread play. But, most importantly, whenever he got into promising positions, he possessed the wherewithal to conjure an end product.

Just after the hour mark, the Englishman displayed the requisite vision to pick out Firmino at the back post whereas he again found his Brazilian teammate in the 74th minute, although the latter came about from the opposite flank.

And, he capped off his sensational display by clattering the ball past the hapless Schmeichel as Leicester were left stunned at the efficiency of their visitors.

Last season, Liverpool came awfully close to ending their Premier League hoodoo having lost out to Manchester City by a solitary point. Yet, the 2019-20 campaign seems primed to be the term where they get that monkey off their back.

And, if they indeed manage to do so, one reckons Alexander-Arnold might have a huge role to play, akin to what he has done so far.

Edited by Kingshuk Kusari