Liverpool went seven points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to a 3-1 win over Leicester City on Boxing Day. After Jordan Ayew had given the visitors an early lead, the Reds responded with goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah as Arne Slot’s leaders took full advantage of Chelsea’s defeat at home to Fulham.
Next up for Liverpool is a visit to West Ham United to close out 2024. Whatever happens in London on Sunday evening, the Reds will end the calendar year as the team in top spot ahead of a potentially thrilling second half of the campaign.
But you knew all of that, of course. What you might have missed, however, were a series of intriguing subplots at Anfield on December 26…
He might have been sidelined since the 2-0 win over Real Madrid in late November but Ibrahima Konate appeared to be in good spirits in the post-match mixed zone at Anfield.
The Frenchman, in what is the first sighting since the Madrid game on November 27, was decked out in full club regalia and was in a relaxed mood as he chatted to friends within the Leicester squad after seeing his team-mates wrap up the victory.
It’s unclear when Konate will be cleared for action but there is no knee brace in place now for the centre-back and the jovial nature of his demeanour on his Anfield ‘return’ perhaps suggests he is not too despondent about the prospect of missing much more football.
Only this time, as Van Dijk came past to speak to the reporters who he so generously gives his time to after every match, he found them huddled speaking to another high-profile member of the squad, leaving the defender to walk past declaring that he was in fact not needed.
Don’t take it personally, Virgil. It was no snub. We’ll catch you at West Ham…
