Liverpool cruised to an impressive 3-0 win over Leicester City at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday as they set a new club record of 64 straight unbeaten home league games.
An own goal from Jonny Evans and headers from Diogo Jota, continuing his streak of scoring in his first four league games at Anfield, and Roberto Firmino were enough to give Juergen Klopp a victory over his predecessor Brendan Rodgers.The result moves defending champions Liverpool level on 20 points with leaders Tottenham Hotspur while Leicester are fourth, level on 18 points with third-placed Chelsea.
Although the Reds were without Mohamed Salah, who had tested positive for Covid-19, and the injured Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, as well as a string of other absentees, it was a strong showing from Liverpool who look ready to launch another serious title bid.
The home side grabbed the lead in the 21st minute when Evans, under pressure from Sadio Mane, headed a James Milner corner into his own net. Leicester responded with a smart break with Jamie Vardy finding Harvey Barnes in a promising position but the left-winger’s effort was well wide of the target.
Liverpool’s second was a masterfully worked goal with Andy Robertson whipping in a delicious cross from the left which Jota met at the near post with an expertly angled glancing header.
Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel pulled off a series of saves to deny the home side after the break while Firmino twice hit the post and had an effort cleared off the line.
The Brazilian, who had scored just twice in his last 23 Premier League games, got his reward four minutes from the end with a fine header from another Milner corner.
Klopp was full of praise for the way his team had won so convincingly against opponents who would have gone top with victory.
“We deserved it. The boys played an incredible game against a top, top, top opponent. I don’t take things like this for granted. The boys were on fire football-wise,” said the German.
“I liked the overall performance — the result and clean sheet. We defended incredibly well,” he added.
Rodgers was unhappy with the way his team had approached the first half.
“We, first half in particular, were too passive and... gave away poor goals,” he said.
Klopp, however, slammed British broadcasters Sky and BT over match scheduling that he says is leading to more player injuries.
Asked by Sky Sports why he waited until the 89th minute of his side’s 3-0 win over Leicester City to make two of his three substitutions, Klopp launched a broadside about the frequency of games.
“Why we change late is because we constantly have to think that somebody will go down with an injury... It’s about all the players, it’s about the England players,” he said.
