AnalysisLiverpool 2-1 Leicester City: Five talking points
Liverpool came from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1 at Anfield in their final fixture of 2022.
An early Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall strike put the Foxes into the lead on Friday night, but two own goals from Wout Faes ensured the Reds recovered to claim all three points.
Here are five talking points on the action from L4…
Highlights: Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
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Reds on a roll
For the first time this season, Liverpool have strung together four consecutive Premier League wins.
Successive victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Aston Villa and Leicester have thrust Jürgen Klopp’s team into the top-four picture and offer an indication of some much-needed momentum.
It’s now a quick turnaround to the first outing of the New Year, with Monday’s trip to Brentford an opportunity to record five Premier League wins in a row – a run of form not seen since the beginning of April.
A master at work
A consummate midfield performance by Thiago Alcantara drove Liverpool to this win.
The No.6 dominated his area of the pitch from start to finish, allying mesmeric technical ability with industry, endeavour and steel.
The stats tell the story: Thiago led the way for the Reds in the metrics of touches and passes, while nobody could better his totals in dribbles, tackles and interceptions.
It was, quite simply, a clinic in all-round midfield play and the foundation upon which the hosts fought their way back from the blow of an early concession.
Home comforts
A memorable 2022 drew to a close in fitting fashion: with Liverpool winning at Anfield.
This marked the Reds’ 19th Premier League home match of the calendar year and their 15th victory, with three draws and a solitary defeat completing their top-flight record at home in 2022.
Klopp’s side have not failed to score in a Premier League game at Anfield since March 2021 and their next top-flight fixture in L4 comes in the form of a visit from Chelsea on January 21.
Ali does it again
Arguably Liverpool’s outstanding player prior to the World Cup, Alisson Becker picked up where he left off in terms of producing crucial interventions when his team needed him most.
The Brazil goalkeeper’s save to deny Harvey Barnes in the early stages of the second half is unlikely to make it onto his mightily impressive highlights reel but, with the Reds holding a slender advantage, it was nonetheless vital.
As Barnes bore down on goal, Alisson refused to commit himself and the forward’s attempt at a lifted finish thumped into the ’keeper’s chest.
With the score duly remaining at 2-1, this was yet another key contribution from the No.1.
Cody in the crowd
Fresh from agreeing a move to Liverpool on Wednesday, Cody Gakpo was in attendance at his new home ground.
The Netherlands forward, who will officially become a Reds player at the start of the January transfer window, supported his new teammates from the Main Stand.
And Gakpo’s first experience of Anfield was a positive one, with Klopp indicating ahead of this contest that his debut may come at the same venue against Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 7.