Liverpool vs Leicester LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Salah scores in comeback win for Reds
Arne Slot’s side had to come from behind to take the three points
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Your support makes all the difference.League leaders Liverpool hosted and beat Leicester City in the Premier League in the late Boxing Day kick-off - but it was not as routine as that for Arne Slot’s team, who went seven points clear at the top of the table with the victory.
Despite 17 places between the teams at kick-off, it was the Foxes who took the lead early on, a low cross from the left met by Jordan Ayew who spun and finished, via a deflection off Virgil van Dijk, into the bottom corner. If the league leaders were concerned at that they didn’t show it, with a dominant display thereafter, but it took until stoppage time at the end of the first half to find a leveller as Cody Gakpo cut in and bent one into the top corner.
Right after the restart Curtis Jones netted from close range to complete the turnaround, with Mohamed Salah wrapping up the points towards the end of the game to send the Reds well clear heading into the new year.
Follow all the reaction from Anfield below:
Latest triumph shows Liverpool’s Premier League lead is built on more than just stars and starters
Liverpool are accustomed to singing about walking through the storm. They had to walk through the fog here, losing their way when Leicester City took the lead. But they ended up striding seven points clear at the Premier League summit, with the bonus that they retain a game in hand on second-place Chelsea.
Comebacks were supposed to be Jurgen Klopp’s forte. If Arne Slot has overseen more than he would ideally like, the latest was both required and executed. The reward was a 22nd win in 26 games under the Dutchman. In a division where so many others are consistently inconsistent, Liverpool stand out as the exception to the rule.
It helps that they have a sizeable cast of match-winners. If Mohamed Salah tops the bill, he also completed victory, bending in a shot to get the goal that eluded him when he drew a fine save and then hit the bar. Yet the game was decided by Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones, two who began the season on the bench and who might not figure in Slot’s first-choice team. Gakpo pressed his case to do so, joining Salah and the rested Luis Diaz in double figures for the season with a superlative equaliser and ending his night with an assist as well.
It had a particular cruelty for the beaten manager. Gakpo improved in his six months under Ruud van Nistelrooy at PSV Eindhoven. He repaid him by cancelling out Leicester’s advantage with a strike that condemned an influence on his career to a night in the relegation zone. Not that Gakpo’s goal, a stunning strike from 25 yards, seemed to come from Van Nistelrooy’s repertoire: he scored famously few from outside the penalty area. But it brought a turnaround that Liverpool had always threatened.
Richard Jolly:
Liverpool’s title lead is built on more than just stars and starters
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester: Salah wrapped up the win but Gakpo produced a masterclass this time
FT - Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Mo Salah speaking to Amazon Prime:
“It’s a good result to be fair. The way they prepared themselves before the game, it was quite hard for us first half especially but it was a great result.
“Cody gave us confidence second half to try and win the game, at 1-0 you just focus on equalising. A minute before the half time and a great goal.
“As much as the team winning, that’s the most important thing. Hopefully we’ll win the Premier League - it’s great (being clear) but we’ll just focus on each game. It feels different but the most important thing is to stay humble. Hopefully we don’t get injuries, we really want to win the league.”
FT - Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Liverpool seven ahead of Chelsea, though Arsenal can reduce that by one tomorrow if they beat Ipswich at home.
Given the Reds are top of the Champions League, into the Carabao Cup semis and have Accrington in the FA Cup, it’s all looking pretty good for Arne Slot’s team right now.
FT - Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Jota nods a free-kick across the face of goal and Van Dijk is lurking, but can’t rise above three defenders to head in a fourth goal.
Gakpo wins one last corner to wrap up the match, Szoboszlai to take...he links with Tsimikas and Salah eventually crosses, but it’s claimed.
That’s it, the whistle goes and Liverpool have come from behind to win and go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League!
90+4’ - Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Salah almost frees Jota into the box but Vestergaard gets over to ssee it behind for a corner, which Leicester defend. Another late change from Van Nistelrooy, Okoli on for Coady at the back.
Just a few minutes left.
90’ - Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Into stoppage time we go - Liverpool wanted more than they got first half but they possibly won’t be too bothered either way after nine extra minutes are added this time around.
Slightly odd from the officials perhaps but it was indeed mostly themselves who took that time in this second half with the VAR checks.
A final sub for Liverpool as Elliott comes on for Mac Allister.
86’ - Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Tsimikas and Endo on for Robertson and Gravenberch as Slot rests a few key starters at the end of the game. DeCordova-Reid is on for Mavididi for Leicester.
The home fans are in fine voice now the points are all-but-sealed, sounding out their appreciation for topping the table at the end of 2024.
GOAL! 83’ - Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
There’s the finisher! So simple and we’ve seen it so many times: Salah played in down the right wing, drifts infield, doesn’t even beat his man this time but shifts it slightly and curls it coolly inside the far post.
So smoother and unerring - and an assist to go with the earlier goal for Gakpo, who has been excellent tonight.
Top of the table for the new year for Liverpool.
82’ - Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
Szoboszlai barges over Ayew who is on the run...yellow card and a suspension. He didn’t start tonight to try and prevent that very situation - he’ll miss the trip to West Ham as a result.
Twice now in quick succession Leicester players go flying to ground wanting fouls; both occasions the ref waves them away and says play on.
78’ - Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
Slot urging his players forward to go on and finish this game off. Salah bursts into the box down the right channel and toe-pokes at goal - easy save.
There are the subs as noted - another no-show for Nunez in terms of the scoresheet and not one of his more impactful showings, feels Richard Jolly:
“It may have summed up Darwin Nunez's night that, by being offside, he cost Cody Gakpo a second goal. Nunez has spent much of his time interfering with play, not always to Liverpool's advantage.”
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