The Liverpool defence were near-faultless while Kasper Schmeichel was the only Leicester player who impressed as the Reds beat the Foxes 3-0 on Sunday.
Liverpool thoroughly dominated the proceedings, with Leicester City only managing a handful of clear-cut opportunities. The Foxes, though, would feel they deserved an early penalty for a handball by Joel Matip, but play continued without any stoppage. Midway through the first half, the Reds went ahead, having already tested Kasper Schmeichel twice.
A dangerous James Milner corner was turned into his own net by Jonny Evans, with Leicester captain Schmeichel stranded. Liverpool were then two to the good as half-time approached, with Diogo Jota heading in from Andrew Robertson’s pinpoint cross.
Liverpool continued to create chance after chance, but had to wait till the 86th minute to round off the win, as Roberto Firmino caressed a header from Milner’s corner. The result took the defending Premier League champions above Leicester, level on points with the impressive Tottenham side. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over both sets of players.
Alisson Becker: 7/10
There was not a lot that Alisson had to do on the night. While he did make 4 saves, the Liverpool no. 1 mostly had to make regulation stops. Dependable as ever with the ball at his feet.
James Milner: 9/10
? James Milner’s contribution for @LFC tonight
104 touches*
Completed 57/67 passes
9 x possession gained*
5 chances created*
85th career PL assist
1st PL start of the season – 19th season starting in PL
* = most in match pic.twitter.com/FKOlpH6Tkr— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 22, 2020
Filling in for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, Milner was excellent as Liverpool’s right-back. While not as marauding as his compatriot, the veteran posed a great deal of threat form set-pieces, grabbing two assists from corners. In all, Milner played in 5 key passes in what was a fine display.
Joel Matip: 9/10
The new defensive leader for Liverpool, Matip rediscovered his best touch. Imposing in the air, the Cameroonian defender won 5 aerial duels in addition to making 3 clearances. His prowess on the ball was on full display as well and Matip even created a big chance.
Fabinho: 9/10
Preferred over Nat Phillips in the backline, Fabinho was in his elements, dictating play from deep on the field and losing the ball just twice. The Brazilian hardly let any Leicester forward past him, snuffing out danger expertly.
Andrew Robertson: 9/10
It was the night of Liverpool’s full-backs and the third assist in the game came from Robertson’s left foot. The Scotsman created 3 chances in all and was solid at the back, apart from a couple of hairy moments against James Maddison. Top class.
Curtis Jones: 8/10
Back into the starting lineup, Jones proved his big-match credentials with a superb display in the middle of the park. The youngster saw a lot of the ball, misplacing just 6 passes while delivering 2 key passes. Put in a shift defensively as well. Earning his stripes.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 7.5/10
With Fabinho in defence and Jordan Henderson unavailable, Wijnaldum sat the base of the three-man midfield. The Dutchman kept things simple in the middle of the parks, spraying some nice long balls while being superb in the defensive phase to keep Leicester at bay. Such a versatile asset.
Naby Keita: 6.5/10
A frustrating game for Keita. While the Guinean was solid for the most part, making quite an effort off the ball, he was taken off with yet another injury. It’s just not clicking for him at Liverpool.
Sadio Mane: 7/10
Not the best performer for Liverpool, but this was a professional display by Mane, who carried a significant threat, aiming 6 shots towards goal. Linked up well with Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota in a fluid Liverpool attack.
Roberto Firmino: 8/10
After a dreadful start to the season, the pressure was amping up on Firmino. The Brazilian, though, was top class in the final third against Leicester, rediscovering some of the best aspects of his game. Firmino had already come close to scoring a couple of times but produced a stunning finish to round off the win.
Diogo Jota: 8/10
Jota just continues to go from strength to strength at Liverpool. It is now 8 goals from 12 outings for the Reds for the Portuguese winger, whose headed finish from Robertson’s cross was sumptuous. Drew a couple of fine saves from Kasper Schmeichel. Such a fine addition to the squad.
Diogo Jota at Anfield for LFC:
⚽️ Arsenal
⚽️ Sheffield United
⚽️ Midtjylland
⚽️ West Ham
⚽️ Leicester5 games, 5 goals. What a signing ? pic.twitter.com/AGqTVMxn0v
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) November 22, 2020
SUBSTITUTES
Neco Williams: 7/10
On for the injured Keita, Williams slotted in at right-back for Liverpool and made some important interventions at the back. Carried a threat going forward and created one chance.
Divock Origi: N/A
A late introduction, Origi’s arrival helped run down the clock.
Takumi Minamino: N/A
A late introduction, Minamino helped see the game out.
Leicester City
Kasper Schmeichel: 8/10
The only Leicester player who can hold his head up high. The Leicester captain made a staggering 9 saves, ensuring that the scoreline did not become a humiliating one for the visitors. Some of those stops were right out the top drawer.
Wesley Fofana: 3/10
Having shown a lot of promising signs since his arrival, this was a leveller for Fofana, who struggled to shut off the threat of and was dribbled past an astonishing 5 times while also being caught on a number of other occasions.
Jonny Evans: 3/10
A night to forget for Evans, who handed Liverpool the lead with a header into his own net. Nearly scored a second own goal soon after and was beaten too easily for Jota’s goal.
6 – Jonny Evans' own goal was his sixth in the Premier League; in the competition's history, only Richard Dunne (10), Jamie Carragher (7) and Martin Skrtel (7) have ever put more through their own net. Oops. pic.twitter.com/wv5ZM69NNe
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 22, 2020
Christian Fuchs: 5/10
The best of the Leicester City centre-backs, but that does not really say much. Nevertheless, the Austrian had some important moments as well, notably clearing the ball off the line. Defensively, he was put to the sword by the Liverpool attack.
Marc Albrighton: 5/10
A difficult evening for Albrighton up against Robertson. The Englishman never really got on top in his duel, but did deliver a key pass. A couple of clearances off the line were critical as well, bumping his rating.
Youri Tielemans: 4/10
Coming into the game on the back of an impressive international break, a lot was expected of Youri Tielemans. However, the young Belgian just could not get going, overpowered by the Liverpool midfielders. Tielemans saw a lot of the ball, but was quite wasteful with it. There will be better days ahead.
Nampalys Mendy: 5/10
As was the case with most of his teammates, Mendy did not enjoy himself on Sunday. While he recycled the ball well, the Leicester holding midfielder was overrun with ease in the game.
James Justin: 5/10
Poor from Justin, who just did not get involved going forward and saw very little of the ball, as compared to what he is accustomed to. Second best in his duel with the impeccable James Milner.
James Maddison: 6/10
James Maddison vs. Liverpool
76% Pass accuracy
3/3 Accurate long passes
4 Chances created
1/3 Successful crosses
13/17 Duels won
4 InterceptionsMaddison's a livewire. As good on the ball as he is effective off of it. Deserved more than defeat tonight. pic.twitter.com/985QgSqSgd
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) November 22, 2020
Leicester’s creator-in-chief was a rare positive for the visitors, creating 4 chances. However, the English international was kept in check by the Liverpool defenders more often than not. Still, the best chance for Leicester to take anything from the game.
Harvey Barnes: 5/10
Barnes saw Leicester’s best chance of the game coming his way in the first half, but he fluffed his lines. Apart from that one moment, the Englishman found himself on the periphery.
Jamie Vardy: 6/10
Like Maddison, Vardy tried and tried to make things happen. But it just wasn’t to be for him on the day, as the Liverpool defenders kept a lid on his output. Created the best chance of the game for Leicester.
SUBSTITUTES
Dennis Praet: 5/10
Despite being on the pitch for just half an hour, Praet was far busier than Barnes was. Even played in a key pass, but he could not make a telling impact.
Cengiz Under: 5/10
Introduced midway through the second half, Under was not involved a great deal in the final third and lost Firmino in the lead-up to Liverpool’s third.
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