Leicester City 3-1 Liverpool: 5 talking points as Reds slump to third consecutive defeat | Premier League 2020-21 

Leicester City beat Liverpool in the 2020-21 Premier League.
Leicester City beat Liverpool in the 2020-21 Premier League.

Three late goals helped Leicester City overturn a one-goal deficit to defeat Liverpool 3-1 at the King Power Stadium in a 2020-21 Premier League game.

The visitors started the first half on the front foot and were totally dominant, winning many as eight corners in the first half-hour. Presentable chances also fell the way of Sadio Mane and Mo Salah inside the opening 15 minutes, but they went begging in a one-sided first half.

Disaster struck for the Reds when James Milner had to be taken off and replaced by Thiago Alcantara, continuing Jurgen Klopp's burgeoning injury woes.

Leicester City grew into the game, and had the best chance of the first half when a routine long ball saw Jamie Vardy run in behind the Liverpool defence. However, the Englishman shot against the bar with only Alisson to beat.

The second half started on a more even footing, with neither side exerting much pressure on the opposition goal.

However, a freekick from 22 yards was well-hit by Trent-Alexander Arnold, but a slight deflection by Vardy in the wall took it onto the post. Liverpool finally got the lead their dominance deserved after Roberto Firmino showed great ingenuity to set up Mo Salah.

The Brazil international controlled the ball excellently in the box before teeing up Salah up with an exquisite backheel. The Egypt international casually stroked the ball into the top corner beyond Kasper Schmeichel's dive to break the deadlock.

With just over 20 minutes to go, there seemed to be only one winner. However, Leicester City had other plans.

A foul by Alcantara on Harvey Barnes saw referee Anthony Taylor point to the spot, but a VAR review deemed that contact had happened just outside the area.

Nevertheless, the freekick still presented a good opportunity for Leicester City; James Maddison made that count by bulging the Liverpool net with a well-taken strike.

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Leicester City took the lead less than ninety seconds later. Another long ball led to a miscommunication between Liverpool debutant Ozan Kabak and his goalkeeper Alisson, allowing Jamie Vardy to roll the ball into an empty net.

With Liverpool pushing men forward for an equaliser, they left themselves susceptible to being caught out on the break. The hosts capitalised on the same and made the result safe, thanks to Harvey Barnes.

The victory sees Leicester City move up to second in the Premier League table, as it also marked Brendan Rodgers' first win over Liverpool since 2012.

On that note, here are five talking points from the game.

#5 Liverpool's abysmal run of form continues

Liverpool could fall 13 points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool could fall 13 points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Liverpool's emphatic run to the title last season had many tagging them as favourites to retain the Premier League once again this campaign.

As recently as December, they trashed Crystal Palace 7-0, which sent a statement of intent to the rest of the league. However, things have gone downhill from there, as the Reds have recorded just two wins from ten games since that evening at Selhurst Park.

The defending champions have alarmingly spiralled down the league table and could end the weekend a whopping 13 points behind Manchester City, having played a game more.

The Leicester City defeat means Liverpool have conceded three goals in consecutive league games under Jurgen Klopp for the very first time. It also means they have lost three Premier League games in a row for the first time since 2014 when they were under the management of Brendan Rodgers.

This is hardly the title defence anybody expected from the Anfield outfit. Things have to improve quickly for Liverpool, or else they could even miss out on a top-four finish.


#4 Impressive Wilfred Ndidi shows his usefulness at both ends

Wilfred Ndidi was all over the field for Leicester City.
Wilfred Ndidi was all over the field for Leicester City.

Since joining Leicester City from Genk in 2017 as N'golo Kante's replacement, Wilfred Ndidi has showcased his usefulness to the team.

The Nigeria international is arguably the best holding midfielder in the Premier League right now, and the Foxes are simply not the same side without him.

Last season, a major reason for Leicester City's faltering end to their campaign was the absence of the 24-year-old. This term, five of their six league losses in the Premier League have come when the combative midfielder has not played.

However, against Liverpool, Wilfred Ndidi made a return to the starting lineup, and once again made a difference. With the visitors threatening to run away with the game in the first half, Wilfred Ndidi proved to be an effective shield for the Leicester City backline.

He weighed in with decisive tackles and interceptions to help launch counterattacks. Wilfred Ndidi also made a game-high five tackles, three interceptions and five clearances, while he also provided the assist for Harvey Barnes' goal.

It was an all-round brilliant performance from the Nigerian, who once again highlighted why he is so highly rated.

#3 Error-prone Alisson costs Liverpool again

Alisson's error was costly for Liverpool.
Alisson's error was costly for Liverpool.

Liverpool have enjoyed a lot of success since signing Alisson in 2018. The Brazilian is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

His world-class reflexes, handling and excellent ball-distribution helped Jurgen Klopp's men attain success. This season, however, the 28-year-old perform has been a pale shadow of his illustrious self.

After making two errors that led to goals against Manchester City last weekend, the former AS Roma man would have hoped to stay out of the spotlight against Leicester City.

However, a moment of madness saw him rush out of his goalline to clear a long ball that Kabak had under control. The ensuing miscommunication allowed the ball to be played directly into Vardy's path, who rolled the ball into an empty net to put Leicester City one goal up.

The Liverpool goalkeeper pulled off a fine save from the former England international soon after, but by then, the damage had already been done.

Liverpool will hope that Alisson can get back to his brilliant best soon.


#2 Jamie Vardy continues his fine record against Liverpool

Jamie Vardy has scored eight goals against Liverpool.
Jamie Vardy has scored eight goals against Liverpool.

Jamie Vardy came into this game as the player with the third-most goals scored against Liverpool in Premier League history. His seven goals and one assist from 12 games against the Reds in the competition are only bettered by Andy Cole and Thierry Henry.

With Liverpool starting on the front foot, Leicester City looked to play on Vardy's strengths with long balls over the top. That allowed him to run off the shoulders of the Reds' backline, and Vardy got the best chance right at the end of the first half.

Vardy, however, rattled the post when he was expected to score, while an earlier header was nodded straight at Alisson.

Just when it looked like he might stretch his goalless run against the Reds to five games, Alisson's error allowed Jamie Vardy to score one of the easiest goals of his career.


#1 Can Liverpool still end their season on a high?

Liverpool are having a disastrous season.
Liverpool are having a disastrous season.

Liverpool's high standards over the last two years means big things were expected from the club this season.

However, their underwhelming returns since the turn of the year have all but ended their title defence, while they have also been knocked out of the FA Cup and League Cup.

That leaves the UEFA Champions League as Liverpool's only hope of a trophy this season. But on current form, few will fancy their chances of overcoming RB Leipzig in the Round of 16.

Injuries have taken a serious toll on Jurgen Klopp's side. But that is no excuse for their dreadful performances in recent times. At the moment, the Reds are in real danger of missing out on the top four, let alone successfully retaining their Premier League title.

Only a Champions League triumph might see this season termed as a success for Liverpool; the Reds need to go all out on the continent to salvage something from a pretty dire campaign on many fronts.

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Edited by Bhargav