Liverpool 1-1 Leicester City
Leicester City put on a fine show at Anfield tonight to deny Jurgen Klopp’s title-chasing Liverpool, and they could have easily taken all three points.
The Reds had the chance to go seven clear at the top of the Premier League, but they bottled it as Sadio Mane’s early goal was cancelled out by Harry Maguire.
In the football world, Premier League 2019 predictions have been ebbing back and forth. And now, after Manchester City lost last night, the Sky Blues have been given a reprieve by their rivals.
There’s a whole lot of drama to come for SBOBET football fans, and we’ll be there every step of the way.
Highlights of the game
The Reds got off to a dream start and the Kop End at Anfield erupted, as Sadio Mane played a one-two on the edge of the area before curling a beauty beyond Kasper Schmeichel and into the far corner of the net. There must have been 30 passes in the move leading up to the goal and Leicester could only chase shadows.
How would the Foxes Leicester react to that—one down with only two minutes on the clock?
Much of the visitors’ hopes were pinned on the return of attacking midfielder James Maddison, a transfer target for Liverpool last summer, and he almost got a shot away after seizing on a loose Alisson pass. He was pulled back by Jordan Henderson, though referee Martin Atkinson just waved play on.
The Reds have been beset by injury problems to their backline, which has meant a run in the side for Joel Matip, who took a yellow card early on after stopping Jamie Vardy in his tracks.
And then Alisson again played his side into trouble when Vardy closed him down and the ball landed on Marc Albrighton. The 29-year-old Albrighton floated a delightful cross over, but Maddison headed wide with the empty net at his mercy.
That seemed to spur the Reds into action and they had two penalty appeals in two minutes. First, there were shouts of ‘handball’ when Ben Chilwell blocked a Salah shot.
Moments after that, the Egyptian was felled by Harry Maguire, but Atkinson was unmoved on both occasions.
On the cusp of half-time, the ground fell silent. Leicester swung in a free-kick which was cleared and recycled, and as the ball floated over, Harry Maguire sneaked in at the far post to fire home.
The Reds had it all to do again.
Their task almost got harder in the first real action of the second half as Chilwell cut through the Reds’ defence and fed Maddison whose shot was cleared. Jonny Evans followed it up by getting on the end of a cross before being intercepted by Roberto Firmino to allow Alisson to save.
The Foxes were having the better of the game. But after a lightning break, Demarai Gray made the wrong choice, shooting straight at Alisson when Maddison was in acres of space.
Liverpool finally tested Schmeichel again on 74 minutes when Firmino’s quick feet opened up the Leicester defence. Nonetheless, his low shot was well saved by the Leicester keeper. Then Mo Salah had an opportunity with a free-kick from around 20 yards but the Foxes’ wall stood firm.
The Reds piled on some late pressure as Salah and Mane tried to stretch their opponents’ defence, but on each occasion, the visitors were equal to them. If they had scored a late winner that would have been very hard on the Foxes … but it didn’t come.
Key statistics
Just over a week ago Liverpool beat Crystal Palace to go seven points clear at the top of the table, and that was the prize again tonight but they fluffed their lines.
But the Reds still have an impressive record at Anfield, now unbeaten at home in 33 Premier League games. Leicester put on a fine show tonight though, ending a run of eight consecutive home wins for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Though Liverpool had over 72 percent possession, the Foxes’ had two clear cut chances to win the game while the hosts never really troubled Schmeichel’s goal.
What’s next?
Manchester City’s shock 2-1 defeat at Newcastle was one of the biggest Premier League 2019 results so far, and it gave the Reds a big chance which they just couldn’t take.
Next up, Liverpool are away to West Ham and then at home to Bournemouth. The Hammers have had back-to-back defeats and were woeful in a 3-0 loss to Wolves on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Cherries won for the first time in five at the weekend and followed that up with a stunning victory over Chelsea, spanking Sarri’s Blues 4-0!
The Foxes have two more tough games on the way. First, it’s Manchester United at the King Power Stadium and then Claude Puel takes his men to Wembley to take on the Tottenham Hotspur.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
