Player ratings as Lookman leaves Liverpool rueing Salah’s penalty miss as Leicester snatch a super 1-0 win

In a tense night of football, Liverpool missed a penalty and Leicester bagged a big goal on the break to win 1-0.

After getting hammered by Manchester City, Leicester really rebounded with a makeshift defence and completely nullified Liverpool as the Reds fail to score for the first-time in 35 Premier League matches.

Here’s how the players rated at the King Power Stadium:

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Leicester

Kasper Schmeichel – 9 – Produced a good save from Salah’s penalty, and an even better one from a Salah snapshot. Kept Liverpool out and dominated his area superbly.

Timothy Castagne – 8 – Lovely backheel to create the Vardy chance. Lost track of Mané a few times but was never punished for it. Really impressive helping out at the back, clearing the ball 7 times.

Daniel Amartey – 8 – Really solid at the back. So well positioned and always got in the way to clear the ball with a game-high 9 clearances.

Daniel Amartey’s game by numbers vs. Liverpool:

53 touches
9 clearances
5 interceptions
4 interceptions inside the box
4 blocks
4 accurate long balls
2 tackles
2 duels won
0x dribbled past

A rock at the back. 🪨 pic.twitter.com/Sj7fNpZydR

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 28, 2021

Wilfred Ndidi – 7 – Foolishly conceded a penalty with a rash double challenge early on. Grew into the game, however, and was back to his wonderful brick wall self in the second-half. 5 tackles, 5 interceptions and 6 clearanes is one hell of a stat line, but then Wilfred Ndidi is one hell of a player.

Luke Thomas – 8 – Got stuck in and defended his flank so well. Made a phenomenal 7 interceptions and 7 clearances.

Boubakary Soumaré – 8 – Overwhelmed in the early going but soon found his feet, spreading the ball around nicely and getting his head to just about everything. Ended the game with 6/7 aerial duels won.

Hamza Choudhury – 5 – Worked his heart out but definitely lacked a touch of quality.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 8 – Put in a sensational performance. A great combination of movement, work-rate and quality. His pass for Lookman’s goal was beautifully weighted and it came from an intelligent position too.

James Maddison – 7 – Elusive. Flitted between the lines and linked play well. Had to leave the pitch injured.

Kelechi Iheanacho – 5 – Nowhere near the level he showed at the Etihad. Slow and sluggish against Liverpool’s high-line.

Jamie Vardy – 7 – Two decent looks at goal but power shots blocked. Moved and battled really well but is quite clearly not 100%.

Substitutes:

Youri Tielemans (for Ihanacho 56′) – 5 – Came on and certainly worked hard and by his position he helped Leicester clog up passing lanes but was woefully short of quality with the ball, giving it away and inviting more danger repeatedly.

Ademola Lookman (for Choudhury 56′) – 8 – Scored a sensational strike minutes after coming on, tearing away from markers and slotting in so smartly at the near-post. Completely changed the momentum and tempo of the game with his pace and willingness to run at the Reds. Lookman played the last time Liverpool were held scoreless (March 2021 when Fulham won 0-1 at Anfield) and he’s come back to haunt the Reds again. Rodgers bringing him on was a tactical masterstroke but his attitude and application was awesome.

Ademola Lookman's goal is Leicester's only shot on target of the game after 75 minutes against Liverpool.

Making it count. ⚽ https://t.co/wiAoySsmIw

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 28, 2021

Marc Albrighton (for Maddison 68′) – 7 – Sat James Milner down one time with a delightful bit of skill. Worked his socks off.

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Liverpool

Alisson – 4 – Completely done at his near-post for Lookman’s goal. That was all he had to do and he botched it.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5 – Really lazy tracking back for the Lookman goal. Was never really threatening as a creative force both in open play or set-pieces.

Joel Matip – 6 – Massive block to stop Vardy giving Leicester the lead early on and although he was a tad flat-footed for Leicester’s goal, he was by far and away Liverpool’s best attacking threat.

Leicester City are the first team to stop Liverpool scoring in their 28 games across all competitions this season.

Brendan Rodgers gets one over on his former side. 👍 pic.twitter.com/fTqglMMV65

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 28, 2021

Virgil van Dijk – 5 – A bit hesitant when confronting Lookman for the goal.

Kostas Tsimikas – 6 – Incredible lunging flick to stop Vardy having a tap-in. Created a lot of chances but wasn’t great.

Fabinho – 6 – Solid in the tackle but didn’t advance the ball very well. Subbed early.

Jordan Henderson – 5 – Ran all day but his shooting was wayward as he blasted volleys into the stands.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 4 – Couldn’t get into the game at all and was’t much of a defensive presence either.

Mohamed Salah – 4 – Shockingly poor penalty and made worse with his awful effort on the rebound, heading it onto the bar. Frustrated by Leicester’s dogged defending but he looked nowhere near his usual level.

Mohamed Salah has failed to score or assist in back-to-back games for Liverpool for the first time this season.

And he missed his first league penalty since 2017. ❌ pic.twitter.com/v0h9jFfLyl

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 28, 2021

Sadio Mané – 4 – Inexplicably shot over when played through by Jota. Has completely lost his killer instinct.

Diogo Jota – 5 – Tried hard and played some nice passes, but didn’t do much.

Substitutes:

Naby Keita (for Oxlade-Chamberlain 55′) – 5 – Didn’t impact the game.

James Milner (for Fabinho 64′) – 4 – Did little besides get sat down by Albrighton.

Roberto Firmino (for Henderson 70′) – 4 – Did he touch the ball?