The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsA timid performance meant Leicester suffered a narrow defeat at Anfield but they remain at the top of the table after results elsewhere went in their favour.
The Foxes were never really at the races in this Boxing Day fixture and were dealt a minor setback after a Christian Benteke goal gave Liverpool a much needed win.
Liverpool were the hungrier of the two sides and dominated the game from the offset; putting early pressure on the Leicester goal. Divock Origi came closest for the Reds in the first period, breaking free from his marker before testing Kasper Schmeichel.
Claudio Ranieri’s side struggled to get a grip on the match, continuously giving the ball away and inviting pressure as they sat deep.
The hosts’ high pressing won the match, a trait largely encouraged by Jurgen Klopp as he attempts to reshape the team. Liverpool didn’t give Leicester any time to settle on the ball and the Foxes found it difficult to cope and build any promising attack.
Benteke only played in this match after coming off the bench to replace the injured Origi but it was the Belgian striker who made the breakthrough. Robert Firmino got in behind the Leicester back line and picked out Benteke to slot the ball home.
There were very few chances for the visitors, only Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Dyer really came close as Leicester tried to make their mark on the game.
Liverpool had the chance to finish the game off in stoppage time when Benteke was gifted an open goal. Schmeichel was outside his area after going up for a corner and a fast attack from the hosts presented Benteke a chance which seemed harder to miss, but his tame effort was blocked by Wes Morgan.
Leicester fans will be lifted after Arsenal’s heavy defeat at Southampton as it means they remain in the top spot ahead of Tuesday’s game against Manchester City.
It was just a bad day at the office for the Foxes; one which was due given the excellent form in recent weeks and it was only their second loss of the season.
The win takes Liverpool up to 8th in the Premier League standings, still 11 points behind Leicester but there were promising signs for the Reds; a swift counter-attack and a resilient defence being the standout features of their performance.
The character of this Leicester side will be put to the test once more as they face a tough home game in the week. This result shouldn’t be a catalyst of doom and gloom because the Foxes are still in an incredible position going into the second half of the campaign.
