Liverpool moved within two points of the Champions League placed with a vital, but somewhat unconvincing, 2-1 home victory against Brendan Rodgers’ inconsistent Foxes.
A shocking brace of own goals from Leicester City defender Wout Faes gifted Liverpool their fourth consecutive Premier League victory.
Leicester did begin the game in excellent fashion, as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall took advantage of a comical miscommunication in the Liverpool back four to sweep the Foxes into a surprise fifth minute lead. Unfortunately, it was cancelled out by Brendan Rodgers’ summer signing who swiped at a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold and sent the ball spinning over his goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
But if his first own goal was careless misfortune, his second one was pure comedy. Leicester appeared to survive a scare when Darwin Nunez burst in behind and dinked the ball over Danny Ward, but onto the post. Unfortunately, Faes clumsily ran towards the ball and cleared the ball into his own net.
Liverpool managed to hold onto the lead and secure their fourth Premier League victory in a row – Daily Star Sport considers two things Jurgen Klopp got right and two he may have got wrong.
RIGHT – Persisting with Nunez
Before the contest, Klopp launched a staunch defence of Nunez by stating he is calm about the Uruguayan’s recent struggles in front of goal. The Liverpool boss may appear to be lacking options in the frontline, but he could very easily have dropped Nunez by moving Salah into the middle and dropping Fabio Carvalho onto the right flank.
Instead, Nunez justified Klopp’s loyalty by putting in a tireless display and playing a pivotal role in the second goal. Mean spirited rivals may ridicule Nunez for dinking the ball over Ward and hitting the post when clean through on goal, but his movement, speed, and wonderful first touch led to the second goal, even if he probably should have scored.
In the second half, Nunez threaded an inch perfect pass through the Leicester defence for Salah to run onto, but Salah could only guide his effort wide. The only blemish on his game was, once again, his ruthlessness in front of goal, as he had three excellent opportunities to find the net in the second half.
His finishing may not be up to scratch, but Nunez is still contributing to this Liverpool side.
RIGHT – A brand new midfieldElliott impressed once again in the Liverpool midfield
Fabinho’s absence prompted Klopp into fielding a midfield three he has never deployed in the Premier League. Jordan Henderson was the midfield anchor in front of the back four, while Thiago Alcantara and Elliott were placed alongside him.
The combination of Thiago and Elliott in the more advanced roles appears to be a very promising combination. Elliott’s tenacity, speed, and ball carrying ability, was perfectly balanced by Thiago’s vision, positioning, and ability to move the ball between the lines with pace.
Fabinho will likely take his place back when he is ready, but Klopp can at least be rest assured that a midfield duo of Thiago, Henderson, and Elliott more than suffices.
WRONG – Lop-sided offside trapDewsbury-Hall effectively strolled through the Liverpool defence
Liverpool’s offside trap was horribly exposed for the opening goal. Kiernan Desbury-Hall was allowed to stroll through the backline without even needing to dribble past anybody, after Andrew Robertson stepped up at the worst possible moment.
The Scottish international is normally so reliable, but he made himself a mere spectator when he chose to move forward. The Merseysiders’ high line and offside trap always pushes the boundaries, but their disastrous execution looked to be a sign of rustiness.
Considering the pace Leicester have on the counter attack and the fact they started on the front foot, Liverpool may have been better served holding their line for the opening exchanges.
WRONG – Over aggressionRobertson’s eagerness to press high led to Leicester City’s goal
Liverpool’s style of football may be ‘Heavy Metal’ but there is usually a harmony and a collective structure to their playing style. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson were evidently instructed to push themselves as high as possible to pen Leicester in their own half.
Unfortunately for the Merseysiders, this afforded the Foxes acres of space either side of Van Dijk and Matip. This essentially placed the defensive pair in ominous foot races against Leicester speed machines against Harvey Barnes, Jamie Vardy, and Ayoze Perez.
The Liverpool defensive duo are no slouches, but even they found themselves running back towards their own goal in a panic.
SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk
