Liverpool kept their Premier League top four hopes alive as they beat relegation-battling Leicester 3-0 on Monday night.
The damage was done within a matter of minutes just after the half-hour mark thanks to a pair of goals from Curtis Jones, with Trent Alexander-Arnold wrapping up the victory in the second half.
Liverpool are just one point behind Manchester United and Newcastle, albeit having played a game more. Things are a lot darker for Leicester, with the 2015/16 Premier League champions two points from safety with two games left to play.
Here’s how the players rated at the King Power:
Leicester
Daniel Iversen – 5 – Couldn’t do much about any of the goals but made a good save on Gakpo to prevent it being 3-0 in the first half.
Ricardo Pereira – 5 – Wasn’t totally aware of where Diaz was in the build up to the opening goal so was caught on his heels as the Colombian raced towards the ball.
Wout Faes – 4 – Poor in losing the battle against Diaz for the first goal, hesitating and letting the ball bounce, allowing Diaz to nip in ahead of him. Then went towards the ball rather than dropping back into position, which opened up the space for Jones.
Jonny Evans – 5 – Making his first start since 8th October after injury, you could see there was some rust in Evans especially as he struggled to clear the ball inside his own six yard box with a handful of red shirts around him. Felt he was harshly penalised for the free-kick that Alexander-Arnold scored, but it was a bit of a rash challenge.
Timothy Castagne – 4 – Was the man who played Diaz onside for the opening goal, not being in line with the rest of his defence. Even though it was tight, if Castagne up to speed with his teammates it would’ve been offside. Given a tough night by Salah.
Youri Tielemans – 3 – Two years on from scoring the winner in an FA Cup final at Wembley, Tielemans looks like he’s forgotten how to play football. Completely lost in the midfield, non-existent at times and taught a footballing lesson by his Liverpool counterparts.
Wilfred Ndidi – 5 – Had to do the midfield running for a number of his teammates and it affects his game, lowering the impact he can have. Did manage a good tackle on Jones early on, but was also lucky to not be punished for being dispossessed far too easily just after the second goal – saved by Iversen.
Boubakary Soumare – 3 – It was hard to see what Dean Smith’s plan for Soumare was, as he played as though he had been given no instructions. Not in the game at all and let Jones get in ahead of him for the opener.
James Maddison – 5 – Looked to be really testing Liverpool early on with a couple of dangerous free-kick delivers and once split the Liverpool defence with a wonderful pass. But other than that, Leicester struggled to get him in to the game.
Jamie Vardy – 3 – Starved of service and non-existent in the attack with just 11 touches in 90 minutes, fewer than ay other starter by some distant. Had a half chance early in the first half but that was his game done.
Harvey Barnes – 6 – One of Leicester’s brighter players, especially as they looked to relieve the pressure on their defence. Tested Alisson early in the second half with a good curling effort, so it was a bit of a surprise to see him taken off with 30 minutes left to play.
Substitutes:
Patson Daka (for Ndidi 61) – 5 – Was more involved than his strike partner but didn’t offer any test for Alisson.
Tete (for Barnes 61) – 5 – Didn’t really change anything for the Leicester attack.
Luke Thomas (for Pereira 67) – 5 – Had less to do than the man he replaced as Liverpool took their foot off the gas.
Harry Souttar (for Evans 89) – N/A – A late sub.
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Liverpool
Alisson – 7 – Rushed off his line well to snuff out a half chance in the first half and produced a good save to deny Barnes’ curling effort. Swept up danger on a few occasions but his biggest contribution game with a good ball over top to start move for first goal.
Alisson's game by numbers vs. Leicester:
91% pass accuracy
48 touches
34 passes
8 ball recoveries
4 'keeper sweeper regains
4 saves made
2 clearances
1.24 goals prevented
1 clean sheetLook at his touch map. ?#LEILIV pic.twitter.com/PaxsupRZH6
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Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8 – Back to the Alexander-Arnold we know and love, the Englishman pulled out an array an excellent passing as he moved more and more into the midfield. Put the icing on the top of the win with a wonderful free-kick.
Ibrahima Konate – 7 – It’s hard to give the Konate (and the rest of the Liverpool defence) more because although they were solid and very comfortable, they didn’t have too much to do.
Virgil van Dijk – 7 – Looked comfortable alongside Konate, keeping Vardy virtually non-existent.
Andrew Robertson – 7 – Defended well and got forward when needed to, but the action was down the other end.
Jordan Henderson – 8 – He often gets criticism for the way he plays and his level, but Henderson was top class on Monday. Absolutely outclassed the Leicester midfield on his own, embarrassing Tielemans and Soumare.
Fabinho – 7 – Kept things ticking over as usual at the heart of the midfield, allowing his partners to push forward.
Curtis Jones – 9 – Wonderful, this was his game. Joined in a lot with the attack and was always looking to get into the box, as he did with a good run at the far post to get ahead of Soumare for the opener. Doubled the lead with a wonderful first touch and finish on the turn. As Jamie Carragher said at half time, he’s in the form of his life.
Curtis Jones' game by numbers vs. Leicester:
91% pass accuracy
79 touches
5 duels won
5 x possession won
5 passes into final ⅓
5 touches in opp. box
3 passes into opp. box
3 tackles made
3 shots
2 chances created
2 shots on target
2 goalsFlying. #LEILIV pic.twitter.com/NS1HDtPgtc
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Mohamed Salah – 8 – Produced a brilliant cross to the back post for Jones’ opener and another good first-time pass for the second. Got his hat-trick of assists with the deft touch to tee up Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick, achieving that feat for the first time. Did show he was human by missing an absolute sitter when one-on-one to make it 4-0 though.
Cody Gakpo – 7 – Missed a chance to make it three having been played through on a quick break but it was a good save. Not a devastating centre forward but his work in other areas of the game was good.
Luis Diaz – 6 – Timed his run well and then beat Faes to a ball he shouldn’t have been allowed to win. Otherwise on the periphery, but you don’t want to rush him or judge too harshly when returning from injury.
Substitutes:
Diogo Jota (for Diaz 74) – 6 – Added fresh legs into the attack as Liverpool kept the pressure on.
James Milner (for Henderson 74) – 6 – Battled in midfield.
Fabio Carvalho (for Jones 84) – N/A – A late sub.
Harvey Elliott (for Salah 88) – N/A – A late sub.