Team News
[player 1573] came in at right-back to replace the injured [player 12514]. As a result, [player 96838] shifted to left-back, with [player 5319] and Albrighton replacing [player 6518] and Perez. Talisman Vardy also came in for [player 1488] to boost the confidence of the home side.
With [player 96099] adding to Liverpool’s casualties, Kabak was given his debut alongside Henderson at center back. The only other change saw Milner coming in for [player 31857]as the Spaniard was dropped to the bench. Interestingly, there were just two changes to the [team 8] side that was thrashed by [team 9] as the Etihad. (fixture details: [fxiture 16924819] )
First-Half
Liverpool started the game strongly and were moving the ball without much trouble. Leicester’s midfield was struggling to deal with the counter-press of Liverpool’s middle three. As a result, [team 42] were being pressed and were struggling to play pinged balls for [player 1182]’s runs. It was one-way traffic until another name was added to Liverpool’s injury list when [player 197] made way for Thiago in the 17th minute. This changed the pressing rhythm in the midfield for [coach 455353]’s side.
Leicester City were struggling to get a hold of the game, and Liverpool were reasonably comfortable. [player 323] played a couple of brilliant diagonal long balls for [player 4125], which the Egyptian did not convert. As the half went on, the foxes grew into the game and started to throw a few effective counter-attacks. Debutant [player 5640817] was Leicester’s target, with Vardy making constant runs in behind the Turkish youngster. However, apart from the one incident where Vardy dodged him, Kabak was convincingly dealing with the striker.
First-Half Stats
Liverpool dominated the ball and had 9 shots at goal, with 3 of them on target. Meanwhile, [coach 896460]’s side had just 1 on target out of 6 attempts in total. Impressively, 8 of Liverpool’s 9 shots were from inside the box, which throws light at their lack of ruthlessness of late. Leicester themselves had a big chance when Vardy was through on goal. However, he struck the ball harder than required and hit the bar. Despite a poor first half for Leicester from an attacking perspective, the foxes were tremendous defensively. They completed 11 tackles, 11 interceptions as well as an outstanding 19 clearances.
Second-Half
The start of the second half wasn’t similar to the first, with Leicester looking much more potent in midfield. The foxes were focusing on stopping Thiago from playing his scintillating passes to the front three. Leicester looked much more composed in possession, and their full-backs started to get some yards up the pitch. The game became more open, and as a result, Liverpool’s back four had to deal with more problems as the game progressed.
However, despite having a fine spell, the home side found themselves behind after [player 1461] wonderfully assisted Salah to provide the game’s opening goal.
As the game progressed, Leicester pushed more bodies forward as they had to, with just over twenty minutes remaining. [player 1396] replaced [player 174] as Rodgers looked to keep the tempo higher. Klopp took off [player 4545513] and sent on [player 850] to recreate the dominance Liverpool had before taking the lead.
However, a couple of minutes later, Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot as [player 10601] was brought down by Thiago. However, after a VAR review, it canceled the penalty, and a free-kick from just outside the box was awarded. A narrow-angle wasn’t a problem for [player 6838], whose shot come cross went all the way, and Leicester were leveled. Initially, the goal was canceled, but after another VAR check, the goal was given, and the game was far from over.
Three minutes later, [player 129820] made another terrible mistake by coming out of his goal when Kabak was in control. He collided with the Turkish defender, and the ball dropped kindly in Vardy’s way, who finished the most straightforward chance he will see. After his bad day against Manchester City, the Brazilian goalkeeper was at sixes and sevens again, and out of nowhere, Leicester City were leading with nine minutes to play.
Incredibly, just four minutes later, Salah gave the ball away sloppily in the midfield, and Barnes was played in. The young winger finished the chance and put the game beyond Liverpool’s reach. Leicester City then saw out the remaining part and recorded a memorable win against the champions. As for the champions, another horrible result as they face [team 277] in the [league 2] before they face [team 13] next weekend in the [league 8].
Fixture Details: [fixture 16943042]
