Liverpool trounced defending champions Leicester City 4-1 in their first home game of the 2016-17 campaign in front of a 54,000 strong crowd stacked in a new-look Anfield. Fans on social media were left with nothing but praise for their players on the pitch reflecting on a strong performance from the Reds.
Claudio Ranieri stated before the game that Liverpool were favourites for the Premier League title this time around. The Reds did turn out like one against the defending champions Leicester City, thrashing them comprehensively by a 4-1 scoreline in their first home game of the season. Although calling them ‘title challengers’ would be a bit too much, the Reds sure gave the fans a lot many reasons to be optimistic about as they dispatched the Foxes with ease.
The last time 54,000 fans turned up at Anfield to watch Liverpool play a league game, the Reds took home another league title in the 1976-77 season under the tutelage of Bob Paisley. Although the stakes weren’t as high on Saturday evening, the game heralded the beginning of a new era with a promising future to look forward to.
Confirmed #LFC team and substitutes v @LCFC #LFCvLCFC pic.twitter.com/P2460vuUkZ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 10, 2016
Todays starting XI #LivLei pic.twitter.com/eO0OSNw0yV
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 10, 2016
Leicester City started straight off the blocks in the early minutes, trying to attack the Reds and sneak in an early lead. But Liverpool quickly asserted their influence on the game and didn’t take long to charge ahead into the lead, which they did so in the 13th minute through Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian brilliantly took forward Milner’s pass, rounded off a couple of Leicester defenders and slotted the ball past Kasper Schmeichel in goal to give the Reds a deserved lead.
LOVELY goal! Excellent pass by Milner but that move from Firmino is top!
— Viktor Fagerström (@ViktorFagerLFC) September 10, 2016
Firmino’s goal was all about Sturridge’s run to create the space ?
— Anything Liverpool (@Anything_LFC) September 10, 2016
Roberto Firmino scores the first goal at Anfield after the redevelopment. Sensational stuff!
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) September 10, 2016
Love to see Firmino behind a proper striker. 1st goal prime example. Studge makes strikers run, takes defenders, Firmino gr8 run from behind
— Mike Wilson (@Redsmail) September 11, 2016
I’d genuinely disallow every goal Firmino scored until he sorted his hair out #MOTD
— Scott Martin (@Scott_Martin_11) September 10, 2016
18 – Roberto Firmino has been directly involved in 18 goals in 35 Premier League games (11 goals, seven assists). Galvanize.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 10, 2016
Firmino MOTM. Two brilliant goals but his all-round play has been exceptional. What a player.
— Joel (@_lfcjoel) September 10, 2016
And withing twenty odd minutes, the Reds had a second through new signing Sadio Mane who completed a beautiful move involving Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge.
That was a wonderfully crafted goal. Weight on the pass from Henderson, stunning back-heel from Sturridge to tee up Mane. Anfield rocking
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) September 10, 2016
Superb play again, @DanielSturridge with unselfish pass, back heel across goal for Mané to make it 2-0 #YNWA
— David James (@jamosfoundation) September 10, 2016
Waaaaaaouuuuu Sturridge !!!! ??
— Antoine Griezmann (@AntoGriezmann) September 10, 2016
That touch from Sturridge #LIVLEI pic.twitter.com/HZTtd5TABc
— Copa90 (@Copa90) September 10, 2016
And the assist by Sturridge ? pic.twitter.com/dVOiPWG9u5
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) September 10, 2016
Lallana followed up his stoppage time winner for England vs Slovakia last week with a goal for Liverpool in the second half. The England international’s goal turned out to be the Reds’ 100th goal under Jurgen Klopp.
Lallana just gets better and better every game. He’s adding goals now too, gets in the box more often. Great to see.
— Joel (@_lfcjoel) September 10, 2016
Lallana has had some week. Winner for England and now a belter in front of the Kop.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) September 10, 2016
(Not that I’m tweeting but) I’m liking this new Lallana. Fitter, stronger and now can hit a ball harder than 4mph. Beautiful hit, that.
— Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) September 10, 2016
0️⃣4️⃣0️⃣9️⃣ ⚽️
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣9️⃣ ⚽️Not a bad week for Adam Lallana! #threelions pic.twitter.com/ox2PVGwAht
— England (@England) September 10, 2016
Towards the end of the game, Roberto Firmino added a fourth, and his second on the night, and deservedly took home the honours for the Man of the match after a clinical display for Liverpool on the night.
Remember when people were comparing Depay with Firmino? Madness. Depay isn’t fit to tie Firmino’s laces.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) September 10, 2016
Voting is now closed! Your @carlsberg Man of the Match is…
? @Roberto_Firmino ? pic.twitter.com/tlk3pTJuul
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 10, 2016
Roberto Firmino’s game by numbers vs. Leicester:
84% pass accuracy
4 chances created
3 shots
2 goalsSuperb form. pic.twitter.com/XRSfrY276U
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 10, 2016
The Reds now travel to Stamford Bridge on Friday to face Chelsea. Klopp will only hope his Liverpool team maintain the similar level of intensity as they did against Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester and potentially come away with three points, which would be no mean feat against an Antonio Conte’s side who have been unbeaten so far in the 2016-17 Premier League campaign.