WIN I’M 64
Klopp’s joy as he sets new unbeaten Anfield record LIVERPOOL... 3 LEICESTER... 0 ANDY DUNN AT ANFIELD
JUST when Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp needed an emergency centre-half up popped Jonny Evans.
It seems everyone wants to score for the champions at Anfield.
Not much goes wrong for Klopp at home and Evans’ bizarre own goal to start scoring proceedings was one of Liverpool’s more fortunate moments in an unbeaten Premier League home run that now stretches to a record-breaking 64 fixtures.
But do not believe this latest victory or indeed the record that goes back over three and a half years had or has anything to do with luck.
Quite simply this is a formidable footballing organisation Klopp and his recruitment team have built.
And as they are being forced to prove it is not just front-loaded with elite, firstchoice starters. There is plenty of back-up excellence, swathes of reserve quality.
That is why they should be odds-on favourites to keep hold of their crown.
Reds boss Klopp said: “The boys played an incredible game against a top opponent. I don’t take things like this for granted.
“The boys were on fire football-wise. We should have scored more goals and we defended incredibly well.
“The front line didn’t play too often together but how they did today was not bad.”
Diogo Jota, who doubled the lead with a header every bit as subtle as Evans’ was unsubtle, is the buy of the last transfer window.
And Curtis Jones is maturing by the week and he swaggered around the midfield areas.
Jota brought top saves from Kasper Schmeichel before the Leicester No.1 was beaten. It was a routine corner from James Milner but Evans, feet planted and under only a pinch of pressure from Sadio Mane, nodded it past his keeper.
Liverpool’s second goal came from Andy Robertson’s carefully curled cross that was converted by Jota. He is some player, Robertson. And Jota, of course.
Roberto Firmino marked a return to form with a late header that gave the scoreline a look that reflected Liverpool’s superiority.
Probably the most anxious Klopp got was when Naby Keita and Jota, in separate incidents, were grounded in pain. Keita had to limp off, Jota was fine to continue in his current electric form. That will be something of a relief for Klopp but he need not worry about those who will be missing from future games. There is plenty in reserve at the home of the champions.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers said: “First half in particular we were too passive. We didn’t have enough contact and we gave away poor goals. We weren’t aggressive enough.”