Hamza’s walking tall again
Salah and Mane make it 12 months unbeaten
days. Their record here shows exactly why they’ve turned the title race into a drawn-out coronation to end their lengthy wait for a league crown.
The second almost came moments later but this time Dean Henderson pulled off a stunning save to deny Salah after Jordan Henderson’s perfect ball to the Egyptian ace.
The United keeper denied Salah again just before the half-hour mark as Liverpool dominated.
No newly-promoted side have beaten a Jurgen Klopp Liverpool team in the previous 11 attempts.
But the Blades had kept their discipline, despite the early setback and were not making life easy for the Reds.
Roberto Firmino had not been at his best in the first half as he hesitated over chances to slide in Salah.
But he went close himself after the break with a curling effort from distance that would have been an early contender for goal of 2020.
Salah nearly got his second on the hour mark by accident when his tempting cross was missed by his team-mates.
The Blades defence was static and watched as the ball bounced across the area and came back off the post, before it was snatched off the line by keeper Henderson.
But Liverpool did double their lead in the 65th minute with a superb counter-attacking goal.
Robertson started it before Mane and Salah combined, with the Senegal ace thumping high into the net after his initial toe-poke was saved by Henderson.
The Mane goal ensured no late drama and that the Reds now lead secondplaced Leicester by 13 points again, and champions City by 14.
Oh, and they’ve got a game in hand on both for good measure.
HAMZA CHOUDHURY believes Leicester have rediscovered their ruthless streak after successive beatings from Liverpool and Manchester City.
Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes bounced back superbly from those defeats with wins on the road at West Ham and Newcastle.
Midfielder Choudhury, 22, said: “After two tough results against two very good sides, it was important for us to bounce back when the games are against the teams that are below us.
“I think it’s so important for us to start building that momentum again and get that winning feeling back.
“Newcastle is always a difficult place to go. But we went there and we showed our professional attitude again and how ruthless we can be when we start well.”
Choudhury scored his first senior goal for Leicester to cap a 3-0 victory on Tyneside.
“It’s a dream come true, really,” he added. “Being here since the age of seven, it’s something you dream of, scoring, especially in front of the away fans at such a place. It’s a really nice feeling.”