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League leaders Leicester City beat Liverpool 2-0 at the King Power Stadium, as they go three points clear on the top. Jamie Vardy scored a stunner from 30 yards to open the scoring and added a second to take the game beyond Liverpool’s reach.The Leicester City striker has now scored 18 goals this season and looks in brilliant form once again after a mini drought.Here are the 5 talking points from the game:
#1 Liverpool fail to take their chances
It’s been a problem for Liverpool since Luis Suarez has left, the Reds had more shots in the game than Leicester City, but Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had hardly anything to do. Liverpool had 14 shots in the game, with just 2 on target. The lack of quality up front is easy to see, and there is no quick fix.
Roberto Firmino has done his job as a false nine, but he hardly gets any support from the ones around him. Adam Lallana’s direct contribution to goals is shambolic, and sometimes you wonder what he brings to the team.
Most of the times Liverpool players look clueless in the final third, and should be doing much better. The lack of any natural goal scorer is hurting Liverpool, and Klopp might now regret not signing a striker in the January transfer window.
#2 Jamie Vardy in brilliant form once again
It seems Jamie Vardy is unstoppable right now, as the English striker scored both the goals in Leicester City’s 2-0 win over Liverpool. Vardy scored a stunning volley from 30 yards, after he spotted Simon Mignolet off his line, as he struck the ball first time from a difficult angle.
He was present in the right place at the right time to add a second, and take the game beyond Liverpool ‘s reach.The 29-year-old has now scored 16 goals in the league this season and has been leading this Leicester side from the front.
Leicester City don’t fear taking on the big clubs anymore, and much of the credit goes to Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez for their brilliant performances this season. The Foxes are now three points clear at the top, and might be on their way to do something special.
#3 Klopp needs to give youth more chances in the league
The Reds have played a second team in the FA Cup this season, and despite the young players performing well, they haven't got their chances in the Premier League yet. The likes of Nathaniel Clyne, Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno, James Milner, Lucas Leiva and Adam Lallana don’t deserve to be starting games, but Klopp has insisted on playing them despite poor results.
Joao Carlos Teixeira, Cameron Brannagan, Brad Smith, Kevin Stewart, Sheyo Ojo, and Ryan Kent have particularly been impressive, and Klopp must use them in the league games instead of playing underperformers.
Jurgen Klopp needs to get his team selection right, and avoid making the same mistake Brendan Rodgers did, but it’s not the time to judge him yet considering none of the players in the current Liverpool team were brought by him.
#4 Mamadou Sakho disappoints once again
French international is highly rated by few Liverpool fans, and were surprised when Brendan Rodgers spent big money to bring in Dejan Lovren, as both of them play in the same position. But his recent performances just goes on to show that he is not the answer to Liverpool’s defensive woes.
The 25-year-old is enjoying his third season at the club, but is yet to make any sort of an impact, and has been very inconsistent. Liverpool fans should not be surprised if Jurgen Klopp decides to get a replacement in the summer, as he himself doesn’t look particularly impressed with the defender, but the lack of squad depth means Sakho gets to play every week.
Against Leicester, Sakho kept playing lazy passes into the midfield putting his teammates in a difficult position. He can easily be blamed for Vardy’s second goal, as he failed to deal with a bouncing ball.
#5 Top 4 now looks out of reach for Liverpool
After yesterday’s defeat against Leicester, Liverpool are 8th in the Premier League with 34 points and 11 points away from fourth-placed Arsenal. The Reds had a difficult start to the campaign, and despite few good performances have never kept the momentum going.
The change of manager has seen them improve on the field and has lifted the confidence, but the lack of quality in the squad is easy to see. The Reds have too many passengers in the squad and lack a proper leader on the field.
The squad composition is not right and add to that they don’t have a natural goal scorer except Daniel Sturridge. Patience is the key and the Liverpool fans should give Klopp enough time to build his own squad, but as for now top 4 looks like a distant dream.
