Lnjuries matter not a Jot to rampant Reds
INJURY-RAVAGED Liverpool sent out a warning to the rest of the Premier League last night that it will take more than a little adversity to knock them off their perch.
Leicester arrived at Anfield hoping to regain top spot but an own goal from Jonny Evans and headers from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino saw the dominant Reds, without a host of stars, join Tottenham at the summit.
Jurgen Klopp was able to field only one of his first-choice back four in Andrew Robertson. Midfielder Fabinho, back after a hamstring problem, was slotted alongside Joel Matip in central defence with James Milner at right-back.
Mohamed Salah was also unavailable due to a positive Covid test so his job was given to Jota, with Naby Keita handed a rare start in central midfield – although he was to hobble off injured early in the second half. A lively start from the hosts saw Kasper Schmeichel make good blocks from Curtis Jones and Jota.
But having weathered the early storm, the Foxes conceded on 21 minutes when Evans, under pressure from Sadio Mane, planted a firm header from a Milner corner past his own keeper.
Leicester threatened for the first time when Harvey Barnes sliced a Jamie Vardy cross wide of goal before James Justin went close.
And Liverpool got a deserved second before the break when Jota brilliantly glanced in Robertson’s cross to finish off a patient build-up involving 30 passes.
The rampant Reds were in no mood to ease off after the break, and Evans almost conceded a second own goal when his header hit the upright following a scramble.
Firmino then hit the post before his second attempt was cleared off the line and Mane’s follow-up was deflected on to the woodwork. But Liverpool were not to be denied a third goal, with Firmino nodding in Milner’s late corner.