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A meeting between first and second in the Premier League was more one-sided than anyone could’ve predicted as Liverpool ran riot at the home of Leicester City on Thursday evening, winning 4-0 with a masterclass in both attack and defense.
It’s a well known fact that the last three teams that’ve failed to win the EPL despite being top at Christmas are all Liverpool (2018-19, 2013-14 and 2008-09), but this match — and the remarkable return of 52 points from a total of 54 on offer — showcased exactly why this side's a near-certainty to land Liverpool its first league title in 30 years.
If there was a moment when Liverpool’s charge could falter, it would’ve conceivably come with the Reds failing to build on their clear dominance. Despite all the attacking threat today, Liverpool’s lead through the opening 70 minutes remained only Roberto Firmino’s header in the 31st off a glorious Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.
BOBBY FIRMINO pic.twitter.com/BF520ucgS5
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 26, 2019
However, despite the King Power Stadium willing every foray forward with a roar, Leicester failed to land a shot on target all game. Jordan Henderson played like a man possessed in the middle of the park, Andy Robertson played perfectly in defense and Naby Keïta bossed James Maddison for 70 minutes.
Jamie Vardy was a peripheral figure and Liverpool finally earned its cushion in the 71st minute after Çağlar Söyüncü’s obvious handball in the area. James Milner, taking his first touch of the match after coming on as a substitute, sent Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way from the spot.
James Milner is cooler than cool pic.twitter.com/nImNz7p8Ok
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 26, 2019
From there, the Alexander-Arnold show rolled on with another assist (his eighth of the season) to Firmino…
Alexander-Arnold is unreal, Liverpool call game pic.twitter.com/7Tz8UQoXKW
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 26, 2019
Followed by a tiny finish after a 60-yard sprint up the pitch. It's exactly the sort of goal that deserves the Kylian Mbappé celebration.
It's only fitting that Trent gets his goal pic.twitter.com/i9uTYeELye
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 26, 2019
The kid’s alright.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's game by numbers vs. Leicester:
105 touches (most)
100% shot accuracy
60 passes
37 passes in opp. half
17 total crosses (most)
12 open play crosses (most)
5 recoveries
3 chances created (=most)
2 assists (most)
1 penalty won
1 goalAn absolute joke. pic.twitter.com/QA3XTOOEVN
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 26, 2019
Liverpool returns to action on Sunday against Wolves at Anfield. Leicester's away to West Ham on Saturday.
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