Liverpool extended their Premier League lead to seven points with a commanding 3-1 victory over Leicester City at Anfield. The Reds, led by manager Arne Slot, overcame an early setback to secure a crucial win, further solidifying their position at the top of the table.
🔥 FULL-TIME: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester City: Reds Triumph to Extend Premier League Lead 🏆🔴#LIVLEI #LFC #PL pic.twitter.com/jqHilrdIZq
— Match Spoots (@matchspoots) December 26, 2024
Liverpool Extend Premier League Lead with a Comeback
The match began with a shock for the home side as Leicester’s Jordan Ayew opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Ayew capitalized on a low cross from Stephy Mavididi, turning Andy Robertson and slotting the ball past Alisson Becker. Despite the early setback, Liverpool responded with relentless pressure, hitting the woodwork twice through Robertson and Mohamed Salah.
Cody Gakpo leveled the score just before halftime with a stunning curling effort from the edge of the box, marking his 10th goal of the season. This equalizer set the tone for a dominant second-half performance by the league leaders.
Second-Half Brilliance Secures the Win
Liverpool wasted no time after the break, taking the lead in the 49th minute. Curtis Jones, making his 100th Premier League appearance, calmly converted Alexis Mac Allister’s cut-back after a well-orchestrated team move. The goal was confirmed after a brief VAR check for offside, much to the delight of the Anfield crowd.
Leicester had a golden opportunity to equalize when Patson Daka mis-kicked in front of goal, but Liverpool’s defense held firm. The Reds sealed the victory in the 82nd minute when Mohamed Salah delivered a trademark finish, curling the ball into the bottom corner. This marked Salah’s 19th goal of the season and his 100th Premier League goal at home, a milestone achieved by only eight players in league history.
Liverpool’s Commanding Position in the Title Race
With this win, Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 22 matches and now sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with a game in hand over second-placed Chelsea. The Reds have scored 40 goals this season while conceding just 17, showcasing their dominance in both attack and defense.
Leicester, on the other hand, dropped into the relegation zone after this defeat, marking their third consecutive loss. Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy faces a tough challenge to turn things around, especially with Manchester City up next.
🔝 #PremierLeague Top 6 Standings After Today's Matches: Liverpool Extend Lead at the Top! 🏆⚽#PL #LFC pic.twitter.com/PIAyHnusuW
— Match Spoots (@matchspoots) December 26, 2024
Salah and Gakpo Shine
Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah were standout performers for Liverpool. Gakpo’s equalizer and assist for Salah’s goal highlighted his growing influence in the team. Meanwhile, Salah’s consistency continues to be a driving force for Liverpool, with 16 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League this season.
