Liverpool ran out 4-0 winners over Leicester in the top of the table clash. Roberto Firmino scored twice, a penalty from James Milner and one by Trent Alexander-Arnold saw the Reds increase their lead to 13 points and effectively end the title race in a glorious performance.
Liverpool started the match like world champions and would continue right until the end the same, while Leicester played like a team out of form. From the first whistle, Liverpool were all over Leicester like a rash giving them little time on the ball as they pressed relentlessly. Sadio Mane stabbed wide when in the six yard box and Alexander-Arnold's drive was saved by Kasper Schmeichel. It was a fantastic start by Liverpool and a sign of things to come.
This was an uncharacteristic display from Leicester on the basis of the whole season but not on recent times. Their defence was sloppy when playing out from the back and would've been punished if Mo Salah had his shooting boots on and the Egyptian tried to recreate his goal against Red Bull Salzburg but couldn't score from an acute angle. The first goal always seemed likely for Liverpool and it would be. A corner found its way to Alexander-Arnold whose cross into an unorganised Leicester line was headed in by Firmino. It was nothing short of what Liverpool deserved.
Mane then missed an easy chance that Schmeichel thwarted and at the end of the first half, Liverpool should've had more than one as Leicester offered nothing. There was no reaction from Leicester in the second half. Jamie Vardy continued to be marked out the game by Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk with James Maddison and Youri Tielemans unable to effect the game in a positive way.
Firmino touched Andy Robertson's cross wide in the first big chance in the second half. Dennis Praet went close for Leicester just before Caglar Soyuncu handled and gave Liverpool the chance to end the contest. Milner, with his first touch having just been introduced, calmly put the ball past Schmeichel to score Liverpool's second.
Liverpool were now firmly in the driving seat and played with the confidence that champions have. The same combination for the first goal was in place for the third, as Firmino finished another Alexander-Arnold cross into the top corner. The performance from the young right back was exceptional and deserving of a goal that he got, drilling past Schmeichel to put the icing on the cake.
This was about as perfect as a performance can be. Liverpool's defence marshalled Jamie Vardy out of the game, they won the midfield battle and they attacked in terrific fashion.
Liverpool are now 13 points ahead of Leicester in 2nd place with a game in hand. They are unbeaten in 18 matches and are playing with such swagger and confidence that Jurgen Klopp's men don't seem like losing. The Premier League title will finally come to Anfield this season.
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