Red-hot Roberto is Kop’s Firm favourite
LIVERPOOL 4 Firmino (13, 89) Mane (31) Lallana (56) LEICESTER CITY 1 Vardy (38)
LIVERPOOL’s return to Anfield was certainly worth the wait as they turned on the style with this entertaining victory.
They were full of invention going forward if a little shaky at the back, but it provided a great spectacle for the largest crowd here since 1980.
Expectation was high before kick-off as the match marked the official opening of the club’s fantastic new Main Stand.
It has taken the capacity up to 54,000, yet has maintained the same feel that this famous ground has always had.
To mark the occasion, there was a parade of Liverpool’s former greats on the pitch which helped to build up the atmosphere.
The time taken to complete building work meant the Reds had spent the opening month of the season on the road with a mixed bag of results.
Leicester start their Champions League campaign on Wednesday with a trip to Bruges, but before embarking upon Continental adventures, it was a case of the tried and tested here for Claudio Ranieri.
Every player in the starting line-up was part of the title-winning squad, and there was no place in the squad for club record £30 million signing Islam Slimani.
For the Reds, Philippe Coutinho’s international travels with Brazil saw him drop to the bench with Daniel Sturridge recalled to lead the line.
In a lively opening to proceedings, it needed an excellent intervention from Foxes captain Wes Morgan to stop Sturridge getting on the end of a slick Liverpool move.
Roberto Firmino then had a shot which was straight at Kasper Schmeichel, but that was merely a sighter as the Brazilian made no mistake moments later.
James Milner spotted a big gap between Leicester’s two centre-halves and threaded a precise ball through for Firmino, who cut inside Robert Huth and coolly slipped it past the goalkeeper.
The home side continued to play football that was pleasing on the eye and former Chelsea and Bolton star Sturridge was only denied a goal by a fantastic save from Schmeichel at close range after he had been picked out by Sadio Mane’s pull back.
The sight of Schmeichel keeping Liverpool at bay at Anfield was certainly reminiscent of his father Peter.
But there was nothing the Dane could do as his defence was carved open by more razor sharp football.
Jordan Henderson’s ball over the top for Sturridge broke the offside trap and the striker showed great awareness to back heel it to Mane, who lifted it over the goalkeeper.
Having been completely on top, though, Liverpool gifted their visitors a route back into the match with a catastrophic example of playing out from the back.
Simon Mignolet rolled a short goal-kick square to Lucas, who miscontrolled and then proceeded to poke a loose ball across the area giving Jamie Vardy a simple tap into an empty net.
And they were almost level when Huth beat Mignolet to substitute Luis Hernandez’s long throw only for the German’s header to hit the top of the bar.
The frenetic action continued as Sturridge tried to lift the ball over Schmeichel as he advanced out of his area.
Everyone in red was convinced it was handball but it had struck the keeper on the chest.
Those two were involved again early in the second half with Schmeichel making another fine block, but the reprieve was temporary.
Less than 60 seconds later, the two-goal cushion was restored as Adam Lallana fired into the top-corner from just inside the area from Wijnaldum’s lay-off.
Vardy looked all to settle to reduce the deficit again when one-on-one with Mignolet, but the Belgian made a fine stop with his foot.
Liverpool missed more chances but Firmino finally grabbed a late fourth after Mane had gone past Schmeichel outside the area.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said after the thrilling win that keeps them breathing down the necks of their Premier League title rivals: ‘‘It was a good challenge today because I know we can be really strong.’’