Liverpool seems to be grinding out results despite having an injury crisis. The latest is the 3-0 win over Leicester City that has been topping the Premier League table for the past two weeks.
The win moved the Merseyside club to second on the log, pushing the Foxes down to fourth. Many thanks to the manager Jurgen Klopp, who has no alternative players than his reserves. They appear to have taken advantage of the injury crisis at the club to show their mettle.
The latest injury crisis in Liverpool is Nabil Keita, who was forced off on Sunday, and Neco Williams step in into his place. This is the negative from a comfortable victory recorded by a depleted Liverpool that is now level on points with Tottenham, who recorded a 2-0 win over Manchester City a day earlier.
Liverpool gave out warning against Leicester despite injury crisis
Klopp won’t care if he is behind Spurs on goal difference but the manner of the win showed that Liverpool is not ready to release the title easily in as much it still has attacking players. The only missing link was the best player, Mohammed Salah who is out due to a COVID-19 infection. It was indeed an ominous warning to those hoping to wrest the title away from the champions.
The win extended Liverpool’s unbeaten home run to 64 games – a new club record, which was better than their previous best run. Liverpool set their previous home record between February 1978 and January 1981 and it was ended by Leicester.
What’s interesting is that the champions are without Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, and Mohamed Salah. This is more than half of their starting eleven.
So, it’s an exciting thing that Klopp can rely on the reserves, who smelled opportunity and held on to it.
Although not a reserve player, James Milner played impressively despite aging in the absence of Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
“There were a lot of good things. I can’t pick one that pleased me most – maybe the performance of James Milner at right-back.
“He played an exceptional game, first there and then in midfield. That is what we expect from ourselves.
“The injuries were a massive shock in that moment but the boys have to offer solutions. We have center-halves, they are really young. They are not experienced, you saw the bench tonight,” Klopp said.
"He never stops going on about it. Don't tell him [@andrewrobertso5] that!" 🤣@JamesMilner on Robbo's brilliance and assist stats 👏
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 22, 2020
That’s such an assuring statement from a manager that is ready to give available players chances to prove themselves.
He had suggested that he might bring in some reinforcement in January. But if they continue to show good sign and character on the pitch, one won’t be surprised if Klopp decides to maintain this crop of young talents that have continued to save the club.
Liverpool v Leicester City highlights
The host went into an early lead when Jonny Evans nodded a corner into his own net.
It took them just four minutes before half-time to double their lead. A move of 30 passes ended with Diogo Jota heading in Andrew Robertson’s superb cross. The Portuguese has continued his high form rate.
This is the first time Klopp started him with Roberto Firmino and they seem to gel. The 45m pounds signing from Wolves is the first player in the club’s history to score in his first four competitive home appearances.
Despite a marginal improvement in the second half, Liverpool nullified Leicester’s threat and made their dominance count through rapid attacks that saw Evans heading against his own post; both Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane were also denied by the woodwork and keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
🤩 LOVE IT, B⚽️BBY 🤩
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 22, 2020
Boss header from Firmino to round off tonight's win 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PCoTwgqBwM
Firmino finally got the third to end the Foxes’ resolve with a fine header out of Schmeichel’s reach four minutes from time to give Liverpool the victory margin their superiority deserved.
Caging Leicester with a depleted squad shows the good work Klopp has been able to do during the international break. Now let’s wait and see if he will be able to do the same against Atalanta on the same pitch in the midweek UEFA Champions League clash.
