Liverpool vs Leicester match report: Christian Benteke delivers first defeat for Foxes since September

Liverpool 1 Leicester 0

Christian Benteke celebrates giving Liverpool the lead against Leicester (Getty Images)

This was an outcome defined by contradicting subplots. Liverpool’s match-winner was Christian Benteke, a striker whose heart to heart with Jürgen Klopp earlier in the week was advertised by the manager only for his subsequent selection as a substitute.

It would have been generous to describe Leicester’s response to the goal as an onslaught. They had scored in each of their Premier League games this season but could not find a way to score past Liverpool, even with Simon Mignolet panicking at crosses and Mamadou Sakho attempting to twist his way out of mistakes like a battleship lost in a brook.

Benteke should have settled Liverpool’s victory in injury time, racing towards the Kop with Kasper Schmeichel stranded after Claudio Ranieri sanctioned the goalkeeper’s motivation to attack a corner. And yet, despite Benteke’s earlier contribution, the Belgian’s confidence appeared to drain as he got closer to a goal only patrolled by Wes Morgan and improbably the defender did enough with his legs to ensure Leicester’s second defeat of the campaign was by one rather than two.

Liverpool merited their win here and the managers were consistent about that. “We only started to play late and I don’t know why,” Ranieri protested. “At the beginning we were too anxious.”

Klopp admitted that in last Sunday’s defeat at Watford, he had “over-complicated” his team’s approach. On this occasion, he spoke of “the simple things” being executed correctly, though his satisfaction was not absolute following another injury sustained to one of his players.

Divock Origi had started instead of Benteke and up until the 38th minute, the striker concerned Morgan and his defensive partner Robert Huth with the swiftness of his movement as well as the boldness of his direction. Suddenly, Origi stopped; slumping to the floor, having attempted to move too far, too quickly. “Hamstring is the s*** word of the year for me,” Klopp groaned.

There were other moments which reflected precisely why Liverpool are positioned away from where they aspire to be, albeit not many which illustrated why Leicester have confounded expectations. In one particular sequence, Nathaniel Clyne proved to be too strong for Riyad Mahrez and Anfield roared in approval. Rather than building on the momentum, Emre Can then checked back, stunting Liverpool’s progression and Can’s decision clearly infuriated Klopp who is desperate for Liverpool to be more aggressive in everything they do.

The first half followed the same pattern of all the home games under Klopp: Liverpool having an overwhelming amount of possession but generally not being fast or brave enough with it. There was a sense that Leicester were happy to wait for Anfield to go quiet and then strike, sending the atmosphere into a deeper mood.

That almost proved to be the case. Despite Liverpool’s control, Leicester had clearest chance when Mahrez penetrated Liverpool’s defence before striking fiercely with his instep. Mignolet, returning to the starting side, did just about enough to save it.

Liverpool had three players operating between the lines of Leicester’s defence and midfield and although the performances of the three were not particularly spectacular, their positioning was significant; ensuring that Leicester were not able to release long passes from defence when attempting to launch counter attacks. Of Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino, the latter had been the quietest of the three, yet it was his contribution that proved to be defining.

Liverpool players celebrate Christian Benteke's goal (Reuters)

Liverpool’s winner came from a quick throw-in by Alberto Moreno and then interchange between Can and the Brazilian. Ranieri was disappointed that despite being the obvious target, no Leicester players had spotted the most conspicuous figure on the pitch 12 yards out, and with that, Benteke slid a shot beyond Schmeichel’s grasp.

What followed from the visitors was not entirely convincing but a feeling pervaded that Liverpool might transpire as masters of their own downfall.

Mignolet flapped at a Christian Fuchs corner and as Sakho hesitated, the goalkeeper recovered. Substitute Nathan Dyer then appeared unmarked and this time, Mignolet spotted the threat, tipping wide. Ranieri was later asked what the defeat means for Leicester, whether they will be able to recover spirit in time for Tuesday’s match with Manchester City.

“It is important to recover our mental energy,” Ranieri said. “Why should we lose confidence? We have to remember it is ok to lose. It is how you respond.”

Teams

Liverpool: (4-2-3-1) Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Henderson, Can; Lallana (Allen, 90), Firmino, Coutinho (Lucas, 90); Origi (Benteke, 38).

Leicester City: (4-4-2) Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez (Kramaric, 80), King, Kanté, Albrighton; Vardy (Ulloa, 69), Okazaki (Dyer, 69).

Referee: Martin Atkinson.

Man of the match: Lovren (Liverpool)

Match rating: 5/10