Liverpool vs Leicester LIVE: Premier League latest goals and updates as Gakpo and Jones score for Reds
Arne Slot’s Liverpool welcome a struggling Leicester side, with the Reds looking to extend their lead at the top
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Your support makes all the difference.League leaders Liverpool host Leicester City in the Premier League in the late Boxing Day kick-off this evening, with the hosts looking to extend their lead at the top.
Arne Slot’s side put in a brilliant performance in beating Tottenham 6-3 last time out, with that win bringing their lead to four points along with their game in hand.
And they now face a Leicester side that has been struggling for form of late, having lost 3-0 to Wolves last weekend in what was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s fourth game in charge.
The Foxes sit in 17th, just two points above of the relegation places, ahead of a run of fixtures that also includes games against Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Follow all the latest build-up and team news from Anfield below:
54’ - Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
A very lengthy VAR check across about three different phases of play, but the goal is good and stands and Liverpool are ahead.
And Leicester are taking their goal kicks quickly again.
Nunez thinks he’s in for a quick third, but Leicester’s man between the sticks reacts quickly this time, leaping off his line to punch clear inside his six-yard box.
GOAL! 48’ - Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
Didn’t take long and was coming right from kick-off! Alexander-Arnold has a shot blocked, Liverpool keep going, Jones wins it back and feeds Salah, Mac Allister goes on the overlap and his instant low delivery is met by Jones who has continued his run - sidefooted past the keeper and it’s 2-1 to Liverpool.
46' - Liverpool 1-1 Leicester
Back underway and immediately a chance for Darwin Nunez, but he steers his shot over the bar after Gravenberch’s cut-back.
Moments later Vestergaard passes back to Stolarczyk but he misses his control and it rolls behind for a needless corner.
HT - Liverpool 1-1 Leicester
So Liverpool back on level terms and Leicester couldn’t quite hold out until the break - but Arne Slot’s side will want a lot more still, as they look to go seven points clear at the top.
HT - Liverpool 1-1 Leicester
There’s the halftime whistle and more disgruntled faces from those in red - 20 seconds added to the two minutes, despite the goal, and Gakpo was heading towards the penalty box once more down that left flank. He’s stunned, Van Dijk offers a questioning look at the referee, but they’re all heading into the dressing rooms.
All square at the break.
GOAL! 45+1’ - Liverpool 1-1 Leicester
Arne Slot and the home crowd displeased over the time added - but they are much happier sixty seconds later!
Cody Gakpo skips infield past Justin’s challenge, lines up his strike...and bends it right into the top corner! Perfect effort and Liverpool are on level terms.
45’ - Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
Gakpo sprints infield, takes on Ayew and is taken out - yellow card. Another chance to deliver into the box and Robertson is taking this one, left-footed...it’s overhit and straight out of play.
Much better required second half for the home team, in set-piece delivery and in open play - but they’re within an inch or two of an equaliser before the break, as the ball is sent Salah’s way and he bends a brilliant shot past the keeper...and onto the crossbar.
Two minutes added on.
42’ - Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
Arne Slot just getting a bit animated now with the fourth official, as another Leicester player goes down to delay the taking of another goal kick. Every restart is taking a long time but the ref is so far showing no desire to speed matters up.
Salah now runs towards the box but he’s having very little luck one on one against Kristiansen so far.
Vestergaard wins another header and perhaps Liverpool need to offer something other than lots of crosses, which Nunez isn’t really winning many of.
Alexander-Arnold instead opts for a long-range shot...and skies his effort wildly off-target.
38’ - Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
More pressure, Leicester very deep right now. A deeper delivery sees Nunez head back across from the far post but nobody is running in to finish. Alexander-Arnold this time goes short from a corner and it ends in him finding Gomez...Leicester still stand firm.
The Foxes counter-attack and Gomez, running back, clips Daka’s heels - easy yellow card.
34’ - Liverpool 0-1 Leicester
Gakpo delivers deep for Salah but the No11 gets far too much on the ball, whacking it back across the face of goal. Another set piece for the Reds though and, yet again, Alexander-Arnold’s delivery is awful. Cleared by the first man.
Richard Jolly’s latest thoughts:
“Liverpool have struck the post twice and have attacked incessantly. It feels a test of how long Leicester can withstand the pressure. There are definitely some within Anfield who would say their approach to keeping their lead involves timewasting, but there is plenty of time left. Liverpool haven't been helped by a couple of poor touches from Darwin Nunez so far.”
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