Liverpool extended its unbeaten streak to 22 matches in all competitions with a 3-1 victory over Leicester City at Anfield on Boxing Day, taking it seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Jordan Ayew’s early goal for Leicester was countered by Cody Gakpo, followed by second-half goals from Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah.
This puts Arne Slot’s team comfortably ahead with a game in hand against Everton. As always, the UK’s biggest media outlets were in attendance at Anfield to give their verdict on the Reds’ latest showing.
Paul Joyce – The Times
“Ruud van Nistelrooy would have instinctively known what was coming. When Cody Gakpo chopped inside James Justin with seconds remaining in the opening half to move the ball on to his right foot, the colour must have drained from the face of Leicester City’s manager.
“Van Nistelrooy had been the striker coach when Gakpo was a skinny 15-year-old in PSV Eindhoven’s academy and was his senior manager at the Dutch club when he moved to Liverpool in January 2023. The fierce shot curled into the far corner of the net from just outside the penalty area was, therefore, a finish he had seen numerous times before, though in much more comforting circumstances than this.
“Leicester had the temerity to seize an early lead but from the moment Gakpo levelled, the outcome was no longer in any real doubt. That Liverpool have not been winning at half-time in 13 of their 26 matches under Arne Slot bears testament to his ability to shape matters via a carefully worded team talk.”
David Anderson –
“It was fitting the fog should partially clear at the final whistle because Liverpool have put daylight between them and the chasing pack in the title race.
“Arne Slot’s side have moved seven points clear at the top of the table – and have a game in hand on their closest challengers Chelsea. This was just as important as Liverpool’s 4-0 romp over Leicester on Boxing Day 2019 on their way to their last title, even if it was achieved without the same panache.
“Liverpool dug out this win when it seemed everything was initially against them. Slot will have been delighted by the character his side displayed as they refused to accept this would not be their night.
“Unlike Bill Shankly and Jurgen Klopp, Fagan and Dalglish were English champions at the end of their first season as Liverpool’s manager. Slot will be the first to remind the world that he is not yet halfway to his target but his side is going to take some stopping and for the first time this season the Kop was singing about winning the league.
“They recovered from an early scare against Leicester City to stamp their authority on a league table which throws the gauntlet at the feet of Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca. Surely only they can stop Liverpool now given the curious absence of Manchester City from this year’s title race, the champions now an extraordinary 14 points adrift having played a game more.”
