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Following yesterday's slip up from Manchester City against Newcastle, Liverpool had an excellent chance to extend their lead in the Premier League to seven points, but they were undone by a truly organised Leicester City side who deserved at least a point after putting in an excellent show at Anfield as both teams shared spoils in a 1-1 draw
The Reds had plenty of possession in the first few seconds of the game and made full use of it when Sadio Mane slotted the ball behind the back of the net by cutting in from the right-hand side in the third minute. Kasper Schmeichel made an excellent save from Roberto Firmino's shot and kept the Foxes in the game.
The away side slowly started to grow into the game and unsettled the Reds. Andy Robertson committed a needless foul on Marc Albrighton just moments before half-time, and once the ball was cleared, Liverpool's defence went to sleep. Virgil Van Dijk was unaware about the English centre-half Harry Maguire's presence, and the defender placed the ball to give no chance to the shot-stopper Alisson Becker.
Both sides had an equal share of possession in the second half, but neither side was able to take the lead and grab all three points. In this article, we shall look at three reasons why Liverpool drew against Leicester City.
#1 Organised Leicester frustrated Liverpool
Liverpool were the brighter side for the first fifteen minutes of the game when they were creating chances for fun. Senegalese International Mane put Liverpool in front. Within four minutes, Reds attacker Firmino took a neat touch and shot the ball, but the goalkeeper Schmeichel was present to stop the ball by making an extraordinary save.
Mane, who was the best player by a mile for Liverpool, had a half chance from the corner. But he could not maximise that opportunity. At the other end, the hosts were caught on the break and Marc Albrighton put in a great ball which could not be finished by James Maddison. It was a thoroughly deserved equaliser from Maguire on the stroke of half time.
The back four consisting of Ricardo Pereira, Jonny Evans, Maguire, and Ben Chilwell looked excellent and never showed sights of nervousness. They were also protected by the presence of Nampalys Mendy who had the best game by a mile.
It was a full team effort and Claude Puel will be happy to take a point from a difficult venue.
#2 Referee Martin Atkinson had a shocker
Leaving Liverpool's lament performance to one side, the Reds were undone by the referee Martin Atkinson who gave so decisions against the hosts. During the first half, Mane was tripped by the last defender, Maguire, which did not result in a red card. Instead, the officiate decided to award him with a yellow by cautioning him.
Had the English defender been sent off from the game, the Foxes goal would not have counted. In the post-match interview, the Leicester City defender said that he was lucky to be on the pitch after that tackle.
In the second half of the game, Naby Keita played a one-two with Firmino and the Guinean was brought down inside the penalty box by the right-back Pereira. The midfielder was given a nudge from the back, but the referee decided to wave it off by awarding a goal kick.
During the post-match press conference, Jurgen Klopp was totally frustrated with the no-penalty call from Martin Atkinson. Apart from these two, they were certain moments when the referee did no favour the hosts.
#3 Maguire kept Mohamed Salah quiet throughout the game
Mohamed Salah, who has resumed his normal work by scoring goals for fun, was kept quiet by Leicester City defenders today. The Egyptian has been operating as a striker this season and occupied the same position against the Foxes too.
After an intense start to the game which saw Leicester trailing, Puel's side showed great composure to abrupt Liverpool's gameplans. The 26-year-old was not given time and space as he was marked tightly by Maguire, who had an overall phenomenal game.
The English centre-back was in the right place at the right time and cut down plenty of crosses by intervening them. Not only did Maguire cut down the passage, but Chilwell was able to rescind the flow through the left flank for Leicester.
Jordan Henderson played in an unorthodox position, and he lacked the cutting edge in the creative part of the game despite being one of the standout performers for the Reds. Besides, Xherdan Shaqiri did not look sharp which helped Leicester City's course.
