Liverpool 1-0 Leicester City - 5 Talking Points

Klopp’s Liverpool handed Leicester City their first away loss of the seasonLeicester City, the Premier League table toppers were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool at Anfield. Christian Benteke, who came on in the 39th minute to replace the injured Divock Origi, scored the winner in the 62nd minute to help his team earn three crucial points.Liverpool looked in top form today as they dominated Leicester City throughout the game, and could’ve easily won by a bigger goal margin. Leicester City would be disappointed to drop points, in addition to failing to score for the first time in a Premier League game this season.Here are the five talking points from the game.

#1 Divock Origi sets the tone in the first half

Origi got Liverpool off to a high-tempo start

Belgian international Divock Origi started for Liverpool today ahead of Christian Benteke, and lived up to the expectations. Origi put in a solid display before getting substituted in the 39th minute due to an injury. He was a major threat to the Leicester City defense, and Robert Huth particularly struggled against him. That was evident from the fact that he had three shots in just the 39 mins he was on the pitch, and helped his team dominate the game right from the first minute.

Divock Origi has a good opportunity to cement his place in the starting XI with Jurgen Klopp having second thoughts about Christian Benteke, who scored the winner at Anfield today, and Daniel Sturridge out due to injury. Klopp will be hoping his injury is not a serious one, and is available for the upcoming busy fixture-list.

#2 Dejan Lovren puts in a brilliant display

Lovren did not let Liverpool feel Skrtel’s absence

Dejan Lovren came in for Martin Skrtel, who picked a hamstring injury in the last game against West Bromwich Albion. The Croatian international was immense today against a side who have scored in every league game this season. Lovren is probably the first defender this season, who minimized the threat of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, and made sure his team were secure defensively. He was also brilliant in the air and won 5 aerial duels today.

Dejan Lovren has struggled to settle at Anfield following his big money arrival from Southampton, but now looks like a different player under Jurgen Klopp. He was nominated for the Barclays Premier League ‘Player of the Month’ award for November, and today he proved again why he can still be an important player for Liverpool. With Martin Skrtel out for at least 6 weeks, Lovren has a big chance ahead of him to cement his place in the starting XI and prove his critics wrong.

#3 Leicester failed to score for the first time this season

Vardy and Mahrez’s double act failed to sparkle against Liverpool

Leicester City have scored 37 goals this season under Claudio Ranieri and have scored in every league game until today. Liverpool became the first team to prevent the Foxes from scoring and their defenders put in a solid display. Dejan Lovren was their best player today, and came up with several crucial tackles and blocks to help team keep a clean sheet. Sakho looked nervous a couple of times, but he too put in a good display.

Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne did well to keep Mahrez and Albrighton silent throughout the game, while Simon Mignolet also made couple of very good saves. Overall, it was a very good defensive display from Liverpool, and disappointing for the likes of Vardy and Mahrez, who had a minimal impact on the game and were substituted later. Vardy has been directly involved in a goal in each of his last 15 games, but struggled to get going today.

#4 Henderson and Emre Can impress

Emre Can is thriving under Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson seems to be in a brilliant form since returning from injury a couple of games ago. Henderson was Liverpool’s best player today, and controlled the game from midfield. He created 5 chances for his team, and seems to fit in perfectly to Jurgen Klopp’s pressing style of play. He contributed a lot defensively too, and formed a commendable partnership with Emre Can. The 25 year old’s work rate was also immense and he seemed to cover every blade of grass.

Emre Can too had a brilliant game and created two chances for his team. The German international won 75% of his tackles, and also made an impressive 5 interceptions in the game. The 21 year old has been a regular for Liverpool since the start of the last season, but after being played a lot in the defense is starting to finally make an impact at Anfield.

#5 Hope for Liverpool?

Klopp’s entry has raised Liverpool’s hopes

Liverpool have been unpredictable in the Premier League this season under new boss Jurgen Klopp. The Reds seem to beat comfortably all the good sides, but drop points against weaker teams. Under Klopp, they’ve beaten Chelsea 3-1, Manchester City 4-1, Southampton 6-1, and now Leicester City 1-0, but dropped points against Newcastle United, Watford, and West Bromwich Albion. Liverpool have found it easy to dominate games in which their opponents come to attack them, but struggle to find goal scoring chances when their opponents sit back and defend.

Jurgen Klopp complained recently about teams sitting back and defending, but that seems to be a successful formula against his team. This is something new boss Jurgen Klopp needs to work on if his team hopes to capitalize on their opponents dropping points almost every week. Liverpool have a good chance of finishing in the top 4 if Klopp finds a way to beat the weaker sides.