Liverpool 1-1 Leicester City: 5 Talking Points | Premier League 2018-19

Liverpool missed the opportunity to extend their lead over defending champions Manchester City to seven points, after being held to a 1-1 draw against an inconsistent Leicester side at Anfield.

Goals from Sadio Mane and Harry Maguire meant the spoils were shared between the sides, although Jurgen Klopp's men have been left to rue squandered opportunities during a frenetic affair.

Roberto Firmino forced Kasper Schmeichel into two important saves either side of half-time, goalscorer Mane spurned a free header and Naby Keita saw his penalty appeal waved away by referee Martin Atkinson.

For the visitors, creative midfielder James Maddison missed two golden chances to score while their aerial dominance proved too much for Liverpool to handle. Alisson made a few mistakes in possession while the Foxes worked hard for a point, but could've easily snatched all three themselves.

City, who were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Newcastle on Tuesday night, know another loss has only added pressure on their shoulders, in an exciting title race this campaign. With all of that in mind, here's a look at five talking points.

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#5 Jordan Henderson's standout display at right-back

Henderson was solid - both defensively and in attack - in an unfamiliar role at right-back against Leicester

Given the Reds' current injury problems at right-back, Jordan Henderson was deployed in an unorthodox role at right-back. The club captain, 28, was prepared to step in and performed admirably during a tough test - up against Demarai Gray down the flanks.

Early on, he was fortunate not to have given away a free-kick just outside the box for a cynical tug on Maddison. After all, Leicester's goal came directly from one after left-back Andrew Robertson needlessly gave away an inswinging free-kick - from which Maguire applied the finishing touch.

Other than that though, Henderson was solid. Providing a creative outlet with lung-bursting runs into the final third, he was eager to have possession and also defended competently. His five aerial duels won was only bettered by one player across the two sides, while he completed three tackles and clearances.

For a player who was seemingly out-of-favor before Christmas, Henderson has performed well in recent weeks and his performance here justified Klopp's continued faith to play him. He has now started and completed a full 90 in four consecutive league games, compared to just five in 20 fixtures before 2019.

#4 Mane proves his worth again while others struggle

Sadio Mane opened the scoring in the third minute

In a game of fine margins, Sadio Mane was easily Liverpool's best performer. Although his finishing is inconsistent and decision-making more so at times, the Senegalese winger continues to prove his worth in games like these - hotly-contested battles where chances are few and far between.

His solo effort to break the deadlock after just two minutes was excellent. Dancing past opposition challenges before slotting beyond Schmeichel into the bottom corner, he took his goal well and provided an early morale boost for Liverpool, one which they ultimately failed to fully utilize.

It was Liverpool's earliest league goal since April 2016 and he continued being a nuisance throughout. Two key passes and dribbles, fouled on four occasions and happy to put in a defensive shift out of possession, he was unlucky not to double their lead with a free header shortly afterward.

As for his creative teammates, both displayed flashes but were effectively isolated by an organized Leicester backline throughout. Mohamed Salah's 69.6% passing accuracy was a team low, while the Egyptian forward found himself dispossessed on seven occasions.

Roberto Firmino had two promising chances saved but should have done better and also found himself dispossessed often.

#3 Dubious officiating decisions leave Martin Atkinson scrutinized

Maguire was fortunate not to have been given a straight red after a clumsy tackle on Mane

Besides their 2-1 defeat by Manchester City on January 3, this result marks the first time that Liverpool have dropped points in England's top-flight since November 3 away against Arsenal. It's a remarkable statistic and although Leicester worked hard for a draw, the game was overshadowed by some dubious officiating decisions that went against Klopp's men.

With Jonny Evans completely missing the ball and Mane rushing through towards a probing long pass goalwards, Maguire upended the Senegalese winger. Clearly the last man between Mane and Schmeichel in goal, the referee paused before booking the Englishman - who went on to score Leicester's equalizer in first-half stoppage-time.

As Naby Keita shaped to shoot inside the box, Ricardo Pereira's last-ditch intervention saw the Guinea midfielder fall to the turf claiming a spot-kick. The referee waved play on, suggesting he was looking for a penalty and contact was minimal.

Truthfully, you could argue both sides for each instance. Maguire's challenge was a cynical foul to stop Mane in his tracks, though he was alongside him - not yet beyond the defender - so perhaps it wasn't as clear-cut from Atkinson's perspective. There was clear contact between Pereira and Keita, although the latter seemed like he was already beginning to fall when the challenge came in. Either way, Liverpool fans were quick to make their feelings clear.

#2 Chilwell-Pereira becoming one of the league's best fullback duos

Chilwell (directly behind Salah) enjoyed another fine display - both in attack and defensively vs Liverpool

Disregard your opinion on whether Pereira's challenge on Keita was a penalty or not - the 25-year-old, who only signed from Porto for £17.5m last summer, is fast proving himself as one of the Premier League's best fullbacks in a duo alongside Ben Chilwell.

Chilwell, 22, has unsurprisingly been linked with a big-money move to Manchester City in recent months after impressing well enough to earn senior call-ups for Gareth Southgate's England side in 2018.

The pair combines to provide both defensive stability and attacking threat down their respective flanks for Leicester while proving two of Claude Puel's most dependable performers this season. It was evident again at Anfield, where they relished coming up against Liverpool's feared trio and actually isolated them - which is easier said than done.

Pereira impressed, but Chilwell was Leicester's star player and both had commendable match stats to show for their work.

Pereira won three aerial duels, completed three dribbles, tackles, and interceptions with seven clearances over the 90 minutes. Chilwell crucially created the assist for Maguire's timely equalizer with flick-on; won a game-high seven aerial duels, made one tackle, interception and blocked shot while boasting 16 clearances!

#1 Hard-earned point for Leicester City, can they build on?

Leicester ensured Liverpool dropped their first points to a team outside the top-six this season

For all their inconsistent results this term, Leicester's credible 1-1 draw against the league leaders means they find themselves just three points off newly-promoted Wolves, who are currently sitting pretty in seventh place with 35 after 24 games.

The Foxes have lost more games (10) than they have won (9) under Claude Puel this term and naturally, pressure has continued to rise on the Frenchman's shoulders after narrow defeats and disappointing results against winnable opposition.

Slender losses against Southampton and the aforementioned Wolves in recent weeks haven't helped matters, after a tricky Christmas period which was worsened following their shock FA Cup defeat by League Two side Newport County on January 6.

However, not all is bad at the King Power. They have shown a steely determination to perform well against top sides.