By Safiu Kehinde
Following their 6-goal trashing by Man City, Leicester City bounced back with a narrow home victory against Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes faced Jurgen Klopp’s side for the second time in a row this season with their first meeting being the Carabao Cup where Liverpool outclassed Bredan Rogers men. With another humiliating defeat in the hands of table toppers, Man City, Leicester were faced with a difficult task against Liverpool who currently sit second on the Premier League table.
The game started with Liverpool appearing to be the dominant side. They went on the offensive which nearly paid off in the 16th minute after Mohammed Salah got tripped in the penalty box by Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi. The Egyptian, however, failed to put Liverpool on the lead as he saw his penalty saved by Leicester City goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel. The woodwork further denied Salah another golden chance as his rebound header hit the goal post.
In attempt to seek revenge, Leicester City launched an immediate counter attack, but their effort proved abortive after Kelechi Iheanacho was ruled offside. Liverpool continued posing great attacking threat towards the home team, but Kasper Schmeichel kept them at bay. A Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross in the 25th minute was saved by Schmeichel and further opportunities created by Matip and Diogo Jota were also denied.
The second half saw Liverpool launching more dangerous attacks which were halted by the defiant Leicester goalie. Senegalese forward, Sadio Mane, failed to capitalize on Diogo Jota’s through-pass in the 55th minute as he missed the target.
In an effort to ignite their attacking threat, Leicester City brought in Youri Tielemans and Ademola Lookman who replaced Hamza Choudhury and Kelechi Iheanacho respectively. Sensing the threat, Jurgen Klopp also subbed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Naby Keita.
The substitutions changed the intensity of the game as Leicester became dangerous upfront. Their quest for goal finally arrived as super-sub, Ademola Lookman, found the back of the net at the 59th minute.
The British-Nigerian forward orchestrated a cheeky 1-2 with Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, surging the ball forward, and finally found the back of the net.
