Liverpool vs Leicester LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
Relive all the action live from Anfield as the Reds closed the gap to league leaders Man City
Liverpool closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to nine points as Diogo Jota’s double earned Jurgen Klopp’s side a 2-0 victory over Leicester City.
After City’s 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday extended their advantage at the top, second-placed Liverpool needed to issue a response, edging in front in the first half at Anfield thanks to Jota’s close-range finish.
Mohamed Salah came off the bench to rapturous applause to make his first appearance since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Egyptian striker curling a sumptuous effort against the post as Liverpool pressed for a second.
That second did not look like it was going to come as chances continued to come and go, but Jota remained ruthless in the penalty area, drilling home the game-clinching goal three minutes from time. Relive all the action below:
Diogo Jota double sees Liverpool deepen Leicester’s misery
Liverpool offered another glance of their onwards and upwards trajectory at Anfield, with bemusement layering the face of Brendan Rodgers as he witnessed Leicester drop more points, belief, and defensive solidity to extend a miserable spell.
Things that stack up as a guarantee now showed themselves in the first half here; Diogo Jota scoring to shape and seal a match, with the visitors conceding from, shock horror, a set-piece situation.
The other bankers, like Liverpool’s recruitment team finding more gold in Luis Diaz and Thiago taking out an entire midfield with his trademark turn, made an appearance too.
Diogo Jota double sees Liverpool deepen Leicester’s misery
Liverpool 2-0 Leicester: The Portuguese forward scored twice to maintain the Reds’ pressure on Man City
Luis Diaz illuminates Anfield to give Liverpool a taste of what’s to come
Straight into the team, straight into the spotlight. Straight to business and showing why Liverpool had signed him.
There might have been a bit of circumsance about Luis Diaz lining up for his full debut for the club, with Sadio Mane not yet considered for selection after a late return from the Africa Cup of Nations and Mohamed Salah only sub after four straight games going to extra time, but it was still a confidence-boosting call for the Colombian.
And, as he showed, it must have actually been a fairly routine choice for Jurgen Klopp in the end, as he played a big part in the Reds’ 2-0 win over Leicester.
Luis Diaz illuminates Anfield to give Liverpool a taste of what’s to come
A standout showing on his full league debut to emphasise how the Reds have hit the target in the transfer market once more
Liverpool 2 - 0 Leicester
Diogo Jota has now scored 17 goals across all competitions for Liverpool this season; already his most in a single campaign while playing for a Premier League club.
Liverpool 2 - 0 Leicester
A Diogo Jota brace ensured Liverpool keep up the pressure on Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title. They are now just nine points behind the league leaders.
Full-time: Liverpool 2 - 0 Leicester
90+3 mins: Mo Salah has a final snapshot saved by Kasper Schmeichel and then final whistle goes to end the game. A professionally dominant performance from Liverpool sees them cruise to a comfortable win in the end. They remain second in the table but cut the gap on Manchester City to three points.
Liverpool 2 - 0 Leicester
90 mins: Takumi Minamino comes on for added time replacing Luis Diaz who receives a loud reception from the Liverpool fans for his efforts tonight on debut. He came close to scoring but was denied multiple time by Kasper Schmeichel.
Three minutes of added time to play.
GOAL! Liverpool 2 - 0 Leicester (Jota, 87’)⚽️
87 mins: Game over! Andy Robertson swings a corner into the box for Liverpool and finds Virgil van Dijk whose header is sent over to the far side of the final third. Liverpool keep it alive and it comes to Harvey Elliott. He sends it into the left side of the box for Luis Diaz who squares it to Joel Matip. Matip prods a short pass up to Jota who lets the ball roll past him before smoking one at goal. Kasper Schmeichel gets a hand to the ball but can’t keep it out!
Liverpool 1 - 0 Leicester
84 mins: Save! Luis Diaz has done everything but score tonight. He’s moved over to the right side having been primarily on the left this evening. The ball is slid into the box and he collects it before drilling a low shot at goal from a narrow angle and Schmeichel drops low to keep the effort out with his legs. The ball comes loose by James Justin is there first to boot it clear.
Liverpool 1 - 0 Leicester
81 mins: Chance! Robertson brings the ball down the left wing and has Jota and Salah waiting in the box. Instead he pulls it back to the edge of the ‘D’ where Alexander-Arnold takes a touch to set himself before whacking a shot over the goal.
Liverpool 1 - 0 Leicester
79 mins: Off the post! Salah has had three great chances to score now and this one is the closest. He receives the ball on the right side of the box and cuts onto his left foot before curling a shot towards the far top corner. There’s a big curl on the shot and it rattles into the post before bouncing out to Diaz. He heads an effort back towards goal but Schmeichel palms it away!
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