Match Notes: WHU 0-2 LFC

Sports - Football - Premier League - WHU 0:2 LFC

Liverpool recorded their 15th consecutive Premier League victory, beating 17th-placed West Ham 0-2 in their game in hand at the London Stadium on Wednesday night, to take them to 70 points in the quickest time, 19 points clear at the top of the table, ahead of defending champions Manchester City.

The Reds' historical run continues to 41 league games unbeaten, the third longest run in English top-flight history after Nottingham Forest (42 in 1978) and Arsenal (49 in 2004), having beaten all 19 team they have faced in the league this season.

And I am happy to report, I was there. As an undercover Kop, in the Billy Bonds stand, I can say, the atmosphere was nowhere near Upton Park. Apart from the couple of takes of the bubbles song, the crowd went quiet, frustrated, the Red corner was the loudest.

The visitors had most of the ball, control and chances, but the Hammers were well organised at the back, less so at the front, wasting the few chances they created. David Moyes grew more and more frustrated with all the miscontrol and mess-ups, the fans also, sarcastically cheering the only change the Scotsman made. 

Mohamed Salah put the league leaders ahead from the spot after Issa Diop's foul on Divock Origi and the VAR took its time to confirm (pen 35'). And the great Egyptian turned from scorer to provider after the restart, setting up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the counter. 

The former Gunner made no mistake finishing off the superb move started by skipper Jordan Henderson, striking the ball with his right boot into the bottom left corner (52'). Here's my video of that counterattacking goal.

Both sides had chances after that, Salah hit the woodwork for the Reds and should have had at least a brace, and Trent Alexander-Arnold with a bit of frantic defending at the other end, but the result never looked under threat and all the records with it. 

It's only the fourth time a run of 15 wins has been completed (Manchester City 18 in December 2017, Liverpool 17 in October 2019 and City 15 in August 2019), 

It was Jürgen Klopp's 150th victory as LFC boss in all competitions (W150 D58 L39). The German played all these records down as always in the post-match interview: "I'm only happy about the three points." he said. 

"Tonight was a normal performance. I have no idea [if anyone will catch us]. The first target is to get the maximum points - there are still a lot of games. Yes we have 70 points, an incredible number, but so many things can happen. I'm not too much concerned about records. 

"We had a record at [Borussia] Dortmund and Bayern [Munich] beat it the next season. We don't feel as though anything is done, I promise you. We take a deep breath and then Saturday it's Southampton."

But one thing is for sure, us Reds fans are making the most and enjoying every single moment of it, whilst and as long as it lasts. This side is making the unbelievable believable, undoable doable, and just move on and go on. Walk on. Win on. 

Many on social media are trying to argue and melt the records down, saying the league is not as competitive, weak teams, not much competition... Really? Have you seen how many English teams compete in Europe? And reach the last 16 at least?

And how much money and players have been exchanged over the last transfer windows?! The numbers cannot lie. This is still the top spending and playing league. And oh, I nearly forgot to mention, we are the European and World champions for a reason. Simply the best.

WE ARE TOP!!! BOOM!!! YEAH!!! YNWA!!!

XxXXxX

Liverpool Goals: Salah pen 35' and Ox 52'.

West Ham Team: 1 Fabianski; 26 Masuaku, 3 Cresswell, 21 Ogbonna, 23 Diop (booked 33'), 52 Ngakia; 10 Lanzini (18 Fornals 69'), 16 Noble (c) (booked 42'), 41 Rice, 11 Snodgrass; 22 Haller. 5-4-1
Subs not used: 20 Cardoso, 4 Balbuena, 27 Ajeti, 15 Sanchez, 5 Zabaleta, 35 Randolph.

Liverpool Team: 1 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 12 Gomez, 66 TAA (8 Keïta 77'); 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 15 Ox (48 Jones 85'); 27 Origi, 9 Firmino (3 Fabinho 69'),11 Salah. 4-3-3 
Subs not used: 18 Minamino, 13 Adrián, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip.

Match Stats: WHU 0-2 LFC
Possession: 29%-71%
Shots: 7-13
On target: 4-5
Corners: 3-7
Fouls: 6-6
Bookings: 2-0

This game was postponed from match week 18

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, own match and RMC Sport coverage.

Premier League Notes - Week 7

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 7

The seventh week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

29 goals - most by Leicester = 5

257 shots - most by Chelsea = 23

86 on target - most by Chelsea = 9

100 corners - most by Leicester = 9

191 fouls - most by Man United = 18

35 bookings - most by Burnley and Man United = 4 each

2 red cards - Aurier for Tottenham, Hayden for Newcastle 

2 penalties - 2 scored (Jorginho for Chelsea and Milivojevic for Crystal Palace)

#SHULIV

Somehow Georginio Wijnaldum's shot squeezed through (70'), Manchester United loanee keeper Dean Henderson won’t like to remember this one. It was enough to give the dominant but frustrated Reds their first win at Bramall Lane, on an off-day for the league leaders. It's Jürgen Klopp's side's seventh win out of seven this season (equalled only in 1990-91), 16th consecutive league win (only Manchester City have done better with 18 between August and December 2017), keeping them at the top of the table, EIGHT points clear before the Citizens kicked off their game at Goodison Park later on that Saturday afternoon.

#AVLBUR 

It was not to be for the home side, ahead twice, given away twice, the draw keeping them in 18th. The double comeback for the visitors sees them remain mid-table.

#BOUWHU 

Scruffy goals, allowed and disallowed = two goals and a point each.

#CHEBHA 

Not impressive but easy win for the Blues, first home victory under Frank Lampard.

#CRYNOR 

Palace’s 100th clean sheet in Premier League history, the win lifting them up into the top half. Roy Hodgson is working wonders.

#TOTSOU 

Hugo Lloris made up for his howler that led to the equaliser with some crucial saves. Danny Ings had inexplicably taken the ball off the French keeper inside the six-yard area and netted the leveler (39'). But none other than Harry Kane made sure the home side bagged the three points (43') despite being down to ten men after just over half an hour, taking them up to sixth.

#WOLWAT

First win for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men, finally, lifting them up out of the relegation zone to 13th, whilst the Hornets remain at the bottom and winless.

#EVEMCI

Competitive and entertaining encounter with a disappointing end. The keepers made the difference, Ederson top, Jordan Pickford flop = 1-3.

#LEINEW

It was absolutely hammering it down, goals and rain at the King Power stadium on Sunday. Both bosses are smashing all sorts of records, one top, the other flop. No discrediting the Foxes, who remain third, but 5-0, it was just embarrassing to watch the ten-man Magpies side fall to pieces as they did, to one of Steve Bruce's worst defeats as a boss, smashing them down to 19th!

#MUNARS

Neither side deserved to win! It was sloppy, wasteful, dirty, slippery, sliding footy. Downhill from the past classic and epic encounters the broadcasters kept replaying in the buildup to the clash. It completed United's worst start to a season in 30 years, which was the last time they failed to reach double figures in points after seven matches. That season (1989-90) the Red Devils finished 13th. They're now tenth, the Gunners fourth, Unai Emery's men surely mourning the missed opportunity to finally record a win at Old Trafford for the first time since September 2006. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with the equaliser (58') is the first Arsenal player to score seven or more goals in the first seven Premier League games of a season since Dennis Bergkamp in 1997-98. No player has scored more Premier League goals than the Frenchman since he made his debut for Arsenal. 56 games. 39 goals. Génial.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Sheff Utd 1:2 Liverpool - 0:1

Aston Villa 1:1 Burnley - 2:2

Bournemouth 1:3 West Ham - 2:2

Chelsea 3:0 Brighton - 2:0

Crystal Palace 2:0 Norwich - 2:0

Tottenham 3:0 Southampton - 2:1

Wolves 1:1 Watford - 2:0

Everton 2:3 Man City - 1:3

Leicester 1:0 Newcastle - 5:0

Man Utd 2:2 Arsenal - 1:1

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, ByTheMin Twitter and RMC Sport coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 33

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 33

The 33rd week of the Premier League action saw:

28 goals - most by Watford and Leicester = 4 each

278 shots - most by Tottenham = 29

85 on target - most by Man City = 11

121 corners - most by Man City = 17

187 fouls - most by Burnley = 16

39 bookings - most by Liverpool and Arsenal = 4 each

1 red card - Young for Man United

3 penalties - 3 scored (Mooy for Huddersfield, Vardy for Leicester, Milivojeviç for Crystal Palace)

What a game! It was another easy win for Manchester City on Wednesday night, running all over Cardiff and ending 2-0 winners at the Etihad. It's the champions’ eighth league win in a row, putting them back to the top temporarily, a point ahead of Liverpool with six games to go, before the Reds' match on Friday. More to that one below. The Citizens' game was rearranged from the weekend thanks to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Super Sunday?! Super Shambles more like! Arsenal were a shadow of themselves last Sunday, Everton the only side playing and competing, beating Unai Emery’s side comfortably, 1-0 at Goodison Park thanks to Phil Jagielka's cheeky poke in (10'). The English centre back was a last-minute replacement for injured Michael Keane shortly before kick-off, at 36 years and 233 days, he is the oldest player to score in the Premier League this season. 19 out of 20 PL teams have kept an away clean sheet this season... Everyone except the Gunners! Comfy three points after their games in hand for Tottenham** and Chelsea* opened up the race for the top four between the London rivals (see **week 31 and *week 27 respectively under the results for their rearranged games).

What a team! Burnley produced a great comeback against Bournemouth! Sean Dyche's side fell behind early on thanks to Ashley Barnes heading the ball into the back of his own net (OG 10'). But two goals fired in in just two minutes turned the game on its head at the Vitality stadium (Wood 18', Westwood 20') and Barnes himself made sure his side went away with three goals and three points, scoring on the right side of the pitch this time after the break (56'). Does Eddie Howe and co have to be worried? Hardly. The result sees the Cherries in 13th and still ten points clear from the drop zone, the Clarets two points and one place behind them in 14th.
And the fourth consecutive league win for Leicester after thrashing already relegated Huddersfield 1-4 means life’s good for new boss Brendan Rodgers (LWWWW) and man of the match Jamie Vardy (brace 44', pen 84'), their side matching the points total of 2017-18 already after 33 games, the result moving them up to seventh!

What a man! Super sub skipper Jordan Henderson provided one and scored one for Liverpool! The Reds had fallen behind at Southampton early on thanks to Shane Long's composed finish (10'). Naby Keïta levelled the score with a header, his first goal for the club (36'). It looked like Jürgen Klopp's men were going to drop points in the title race, before Mohamed Salah produced a brilliant solo goal with only ten minutes to go (80'), a great run and finish for Momo’s 50th, finally! And Hendo sealed the win from close range (86'), his first goal of the season, making him the first Premier League substitute to score a goal, assist a goal and receive a yellow card since Graziano Pellè did so for Southampton against Crystal Palace in May 2016. The result put the Reds back on top after their fourth successive league win against the Saints for the first time in their club's history, whilst Ralph Hasenhüttl's side fall down to 17th, five points away from the drop zone.
Eden Hazard just ran through everyone and everything on Monday, starring for Chelsea with an excellent brace against West Ham (24', 90'). The Blues won their game in hand on Wednesday (as mentioned above *week 27), the Belgian star also contributing and scoring in that 3-0 win against Brighton, but Monday's victory topped it all, moving the side up to third. What and where would Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri be without him?!

What a goal! Wow Watford, Vicarage Road saw some super goals on Tuesday! And a th-r-ash! Abdoulaye Doucouré's opener was a stunner (23') before Ryan Babel equalised for Fulham (33'). But after the break, the Hornets overran and crushed the Cottagers, smashing goals from Will Hughes (63'), Troy Deeney (69') and Kiko Femenía (75'), condemning the visitors to relegation. Fulham join Huddersfield down and out, making them the earliest two relegated teams ever in the Premier League era!

And the Molineux stadium witnessed something special on Tuesday night as well! Scott McTominay gave Manchester United the lead (13') with a fine strike from over 20 yards out, his first goal for the club. Diogo Jota was crucial in the host's comeback, equalising 12 minutes later (25') and falling victim to Ashley Young's fouls, two clumsy tackles in a crazy five-minute spell which saw the Red Devils' skipper booked twice and consequently sent off (57'), Mike Dean's 100th PL red card, interesting read and reactions. Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side were all over the place after that and Wolves capitalised. Chris Smalling put the ball into the back of his own net (OG 77') after his keeper David de Gea was unable to collect the ball and it ricocheted. Defence?! Scenes! Man Who?! Ole Ole Ole?! The new permanent boss tasted his first defeat since signing for United, his side falling back down to sixth as a result.

What the hell?! The new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finally saw its first match with an over-spectacular introduction on Wednesday. Better late than never. Shame they couldn’t even fill it. But Tottenham won their first game in the £1bn ground, ending the 689-day wait, 2-0 against Crystal Palace, Son Heung-min opening the scoring (55') and Christian Eriksen sealing the win (80').**week 31
Luka Milivojeviç’s 11th goal in all competitions, his 10th spot kick won it for Palace at Newcastle on Saturday, ending a five-match winning run of Rafael Benítez’s side. Only Andrew Johnson in 2004-05 has scored more penalties in a single PL campaign (= 11, also with Palace). It was against the run of play, the winning side recording the fewest shots. No side has actually won a Premier League game with fewer attempts this season (< 3). Crazy stats. C'est le foot.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Wolves 0:2 Man United - 2:1

Watford 2:1 Fulham - 4:1

(Chelsea 2:1 Brighton - 3:0)*week 27

Man City 3:1 Cardiff - 2:0

(Tottenham 2:1 Crystal Palace - 2:0)**week 31

Southampton 1:2 Liverpool - 1:3

Bournemouth 2:2 Burnley - 1:3

Huddersfield 0:2 Leicester - 1:4

Newcastle 4:2 Crystal Palace - 0:1

Everton 1:2 Arsenal - 1:0

Chelsea 2:0 West Ham - 2:0

(Tottenham 1:0 Brighton was postponed to the 23rd April due to the FA Cup ties, see week 35)

*(Both matches rearranged from *week 27 and **week 31 because of the League Cup final and FA Cup ties respectively, stats added to respective weeks)**

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and RMC Sports coverage.

CL Shocker At San Paolo For Reds

Sports - Football - Champions League - NAP 1:0 LIV

Liverpool suffered their second defeat in their last three matches, all winless in all competitions, losing 1:0 against Napoli in the Champions League group match at the Stadio San Paolo, thanks to Lorenzo Insigne’s last-minute winner (90’).

The Reds were a shadow of their usual attacking and hungry selves, losing the ball again and again and not recording a single shot on target in Italy on Wednesday night.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men, second in Serie A, six points behind leaders Juventus, dominated possession, play and didn’t let the visitors have a single sniffer into the game.

Jürgen Klopp was unusually quiet as well, not his usual manic shouting and gesturing self on the sideline. One could feel something was just missing, not clicking, not right.

Especially the front trio, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah just couldn’t connect and kept misplacing and losing the ball, whilst there was no sign at all of Roberto Firmino.

It didn’t help when Naby Keïta had to be replaced by Jordan Henderson early on in the first half due to an injury to his back (18’).

Alisson stopped Arkadiusz Milik’s shot from swivelling in and collected the rebound (33’) before the Blues upped their game after the restart.

Milik’s drive was too much for the Brazilian stopper and needed to be hacked away by Virgil van Dijk (50’).

Joe Gomez cleared José Callejón’s volley off the line (75’) before sub Dries Mertens hit the crossbar (82’).

But the hosts were rewarded for all their hard work in the final minute of normal time when man of the match Insigne netted Callejón’s precise cross, sparking wild celebrations.

This result and PSG’s 6-1 thrashing of Red Star Belgrade throw Group C wide open, taking Napoli above Liverpool to the top.

It was the first time since February 2006 that the Reds have failed to record a single shot on target in a Champions League game (0-1 vs Benfica).

And December 2009 was the last time they have lost a Champions League game thanks to a 90th minute winner (Alberto Gilardino for Fiorentina).

It was the worst display by far this season, no pace, no connection, no chance and last season’s finalists only had their keeper and defenders to thank that it didn’t end up being a bigger thrashing.

It will not help their confidence ahead of the big Super Sunday Premier League clash against champions and league leaders Manchester City.

If they play like this against the champions, they will get thrashed, torn to bits and left to wreck... 

But it wouldn't be the first time for Klopp to have a surprise up his sleeve and come back stronger. 

The German conceded this one goes on him, it was his fault and will make sure they will learn from it to make sure the Reds keep their unbeaten record in the Premier League up and going.

Napoli Goal: Insigne 90’.

Napoli Team: 25 Ospina; 6 Rui, 26 Koulibaly (booked 25’), 33 Albiol, 19 Maksimovic; 8 Ruiz Peña (14 Mertens 68’), 17 Hamsik (c) (20 Zielinski 81’), 5 Allan, 7 Callejón; 99 Milik (9 Verdi 68’), 24 Insigne. 4-4-2

Subs not used: 23 Hysajs, 27 Karnezis, 30 Rog, 42 Diawara.

Liverpool Team: 13 Allison; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 12 Gomez, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 8 Keita (14 Henderson 19’), 5 Wijnaldum, 7 Milner (c) (booked 45’+2’) (3 Fabinho 76’); 10 Mané (15 Sturridge 89’), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 23 Shaqiri.

HT Stats: NAP 0-0 LIV

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 3-3

On target: 1-0

Corners: 1-0

Fouls: 5-5

Bookings: 1-1

FT Stats: NAP 1-0 LIV

Possession: 57%-43%

Shots: 14-4

On target: 5-0

Corners: 5-1

Fouls: 12-9

Bookings: 1-1

Referee: Viktor Kassai

Man of the match: Lorenzo Insigne

Ground: Stadio San Paolo

Attendance: 37,057

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app and BT and RMC Sport coverage.

Reds Grind Out Win At Leicester

Sports - Football - Premier League - LCFC 1:2 LFC

Liverpool held on to their lead against Leicester to make it four wins out of the first four league games for the first time in 28 years, despite Alisson Becker's howler (63') and struggling against the Foxes after Sadio Mané (10') and Roberto Firmino (45') had put the Reds ahead at the King Power stadium.

Jürgen Klopp will have been a very relieved manager to have banked the three points despite the dominance by the home side and his team's flaws and errors after the restart in today's lunchtime kick-off.

Claude Puel will have been the more frustrated, having paid for their mistakes in the first half but not being able to make all their chances and breaks count to make a comeback in the second half, especially after Rachid Ghezzal pulled one back in such embarrassing and devastating fashion against the visitors.

Hence, it was a game of two very different halves.

Here are my live match notes as it all unfolded:

Vardy's still suspended for Leicester, Henderson's in for Keita, Lovren's still out for Liverpool. See the full line-up at the bottom of this post.

The King Power Stadium's louddddd!

KICK-OFF

5' Salah puts the rebound off Firmino's attempt wide, good save by Schmeichel against Bobby, Liverpool on top early on.

09:30 MANÉ GOAL! Robertson on the left side of the box, passes back to Mané in the box, through the heart of the Foxes' back defence to give the Reds the lead, easy finish for the Senegalese, his fourth goal, what a gap, too easy, BOOM! 0-1

15' All Liverpool, 66.1% possession to be exact.

20' Robertson again, putting Leicester under pressure, pushing, crossing and passing into the box from the left, but defended and cleared this time.

24' Best chance for Leicester so far, Gray runs clear of van Dijk, shoots, Alisson punches the ball away.

25' First corner for the home side, Alisson catches and throws clear, no pressure.

30' Gomez clears more Leicester pressure after Maddison set up Gray but he couldn't quite get to it.

32' Both sides give and take the ball, Albrighton takes a shot from distance, nowhere near.

33' Another shot from distance, Maddison this time, they are fuming to the ref about something, don't have a clue what they're on about...

34' Leicester free kick, flag is up, that's a waste.

36' Firmino concedes a free kick in the centre circle, trying to be flashy but handling the ball instead.

38' Milner is down, holding his head after clashing with Pereira on the rub. Play is stopped, but not for long, Leicester take their throw seconds later.

40' Another Leicester free kick, headed away. Missing all the fouls... ?! Soft one against Firmino I think this call was...

43' Mané with loads of space on the left, pulls the ball back, Liverpool trying to stretch the Foxes, Salah with a shot eventually, from the edge of the box, Schmeichel saves, out for a Red corner.

44' Milner takes, skipper Morgan heads it away for another Red corner.

45' Milner takes again, FIRMINO HEADS IT IN! The ball somehow bounces or just gets away from full-stretched Schmeichel's left glove and in. 0-2

Just one minute added on, Klopp couldn't have asked for a better start, Puel's birthday cake will taste very sour if it stays this way (he's gonna be 57 tomorrow).

Under Klopp, Firmino has been directly involved in 60 Premier League goals (37 goals, 23 assists), 15 more than any other Liverpool player. BOOM!

RESTART

48' Leicester chance wide, Ghezzal from the right, Alisson thought of going for it but then watched the ball go out for a goal kick.

50' Maddison shot from outside the box, nice curl, too much space, Alisson reads and catches it, easy, both gloves.

52' Maddison took and totally wasted Leicester's first corner of this half, wide. Liverpool throw. The home side keep the pressure up and going though, grabbing the ball back straight away, Maddison in the box again, CHANCE, wide. The Foxes are getting closer and closer, dominating this half so far.

55' Van Dijk is BOOKED for bringing down Maddison, free kick in dangerous territory outside the box for the Foxes. The wall does it's job and blocks any threat for the Reds.

57' Another Leicester corner, CHANCE, somehow Alisson gets the ball, there were three or four Leicester players clear on goal there! I can hear Klopp shouting his face off, no wonder! WTF?!

58' Liverpool counter, Salah mistimes his pass to Firmino, Leicester clear the threat.

59' Chilwell breaks on the left, his cross is headed away by Gomez.

60' LCFC 64%-36% LFC = 2nd half possession, home side coming and hitting back strongly...

61' SUB Iheanacho replaces Albrighton, first change made by Puel, can the home side make all their work pay and hit back?

62' Robertson chance wide, Red subs warming up as well.

62:21 ALISSON SCREWS UP, prances around the ball on the left side in the box, loses it to sub Iheanacho, runs back desperately, Ghezzal (who was booked earlier but I totally missed it) meets the fine pass and nets it, 1-2. WHAT A GOAL TO CONCEDE! OUCH! THAT'S WHY I HATE BACKPASSES!!!

67' The King Power stadium is super loud again now! Klopp is getting his subs ready...

69' Gray on the left, messes up the chance and/or pass, whatever it was supposed to be, Alisson collects. Sarcastic cheers all round.

71' SUBS Klopp rings in the changes, Salah's replaced by Shaqiri, Keita comes on for Henderson.

75' Leicester 5-1 Liverpool in chances this half! Puel is getting the next SUB ready... Gray is replaced by Okazaki.

78' Keita wins a free kick after being wrestled down, Liverpool play around the box, until Okazaki intercepts Shaqiri's pass.

79' Chilwell's down after Alexander-Arnold kicked the ball right into his best bits, OUCH!

80' Reds throw after the Fox recovered... Saying that, they are now waving for help, Chilwell goes off the pitch with his doc...

81' Liverpool try to waste time with the ball in the corner, Shaqiri is brought down and wins a free kick.

82' Milner takes, Mané heads it wide. Last change for the home side, Maddison comes off to be replaced by Amartey.

85' Mané on the left for Liverpool, the Foxes clear the threat, the Senegalese looks hurt in the process, nothing obvious... Seems okay after a few seconds...

86' Alexander-Arnold SHOT nowhere near, goal kick. Red fans are louder now.

87' Van Dijk kicks the ball clear, but Leicester keep pushing, Milner clears, not far, free kick to the home side, taken quickly, Keita blocks...

88' Mané down, free kick to the Reds, Mandy BOOKED for pushing the Senegalese down.

89' Last change for the Reds, Alexander-Arnold comes off for Matip. Free kick wasted, Schmeichel eventually collects the ball comfortably.

90' Shaqiri wins a corner on the right - FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON!!! Klopp doesn't look too happy about that. Milner takes the corner short with Shaqiri in front of him, Liverpool throw, they take their time, of course.

Gomez throw into the box, Leicester run clear, van Dijk puts the ball out for a throw, Klopp is loud and fuming. Liverpool fans singing YNWA... TENSE!!! Can the Reds hold on to the lead?

Milner is BOOKED for blocking and bringing down Pereira, another dangerous free kick, to Chilwell on the left, van Dijk whacks it out for a corner, Schmeichel comes up...

The ref has a word with Morgan and Matip... Van Dijk heads the corner away, Keita is down and free kick is given to the Reds eventually, Ndidi is BOOKED for his elbow/push, seconds to go.

Liverpool keep the ball well... AND HOLD ON TO THE LEAD TILL THE FINAL WHISTLE! THAT'S THREE POINTS - despite the embarrassing goal they conceded, the first of the season against Alisson.

Not a nice nor convincing win, but it's the points that count most and it's four wins out of four for the Reds! Boom!

Leicester Goal: Ghezzal 63'.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 10', Firmino 45'.

HT stats: LCFC 0-2 LFC
Possession: 47.4%-52.6%
Shots: 6-7
On target: 2-4
Offside: 2-0
Corners: 1-3
Fouls: 1-5
Bookings: 0-0

FT stats: LCFC 1-2 LFC
Possession: 51.2%-48.8%
Shots: 12-10
On target: 5-4
Offside: 3-2
Corners: 4-4
Fouls: 9-12
Bookings: 3-2

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 3 Chilwell, 15 Maguire, 5 Morgan (c), 14 Pereira; 25 Ndidi (booked 95'), 24 Mendy (booked 88'); 11 Albrighton (8 Iheanacho 61'), 10 Maddison (18 Amartey 82'), 31 Ghezzal (booked 61'); 7 Gray (20 Okazaki 76'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 6 Evans, 12 Ward, 21 Iborra, 28 Fuchs.

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 66 Alexander-Arnold (32 Matip 89'), 12 Gomez, 4 Van Dijk (booked 55'), 26 Robertson; 7 Milner (booked 93'), 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c) (8 Keita 71'); 11 Salah (23 Shaqiri 71'), 10 Mané, 9 Firmino. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 15 Sturridge, 18 Moreno, 20 Lallana, 22 Mignolet.

Referee: Paul Tierney
Man of the match: Joe Gomez
Stadium: The King Power Stadium
Attendance: 32,149

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app and RMC Sport match coverage.

Liverpool Through To Their 8th CL Final

Sports - Football - Champions League - ASR 4:2 LFC

Liverpool battled through to the Champions League final but not without hiccups and late drama, losing 4-2 at Roma on Wednesday night, qualifying 7-6 on aggregate after their 5-2 Anfield glory in the first leg, adding up a record number of goals in a European semi-final.

Man of the match Sadio Mané netted the opener after just over eight minutes, pouncing on Roberto Firmino's fine pass after Radja Nainggolan's giveaway, the first goal conceded by the Italians at the Stadio Olimpico in the competition this season.

That left Eusebio Di Francesco's men needing four goals to progress and were helped when James Milner headed Dejan Lovren's clearance into his own net, not knowing much about it as it was so quick, just 15 minutes gone.

Top scorer Mohamed Salah was kept quiet by his former side and continued his goal drought (of two games), but surprisingly Georginio Wijnaldum made it 1-2 (3-7 on agg) with his first goal away from home, capitalising on Edin Dzeko's failure to head the ball away and nodding it in unmarked

But the home side didn't give up, Stephan El Shaarawy hitting the post before Roma's late rally and drama saw them come back, Dzeko equalising shortly after the restart when Loris Karius pushed Shaarawy's shot straight to him.

The Liverpool keeper made some crucial saves and blocks, but couldn't help but just watch as the ball went in off the post, Nainggolan with the shot that put the Italians ahead for the first time 3-2 on the night, four minutes to go.

And the final seconds added to the Reds' nerves and worries as the Belgian added another goal from the spot, substitute Ragnar Klavan punished for handling the ball, making it 4-2 (6-7 on agg). GULP!

The officials had a lot on their hands and a few decisions were questionable, especially harsh and inconsistent with the offside flag, and their take on challenges and handballs, but that's nothing new.

After the full-time whistle Jürgen Klopp was buzzing and celebrated with the fans, who had to wait till early hours in the morning to be released from the ground, but it created some awesome and unforgettable scenes.

It was great to see the team celebrate so wholeheartedly, skipper Jordan Henderson bringing a flag for Sean Cox onto the pitch. YNWA! XxXxX

The Reds will attend their 8th European final in Kiev, an English record, against record-12-times European winners Real Madrid on the 26th May 2018.

We all know what happened the last time these two sides met in a final... :-D #BOOM

Click here for all the know-how-who-what of the two great sides in the competition. #HISTORY #LEGENDS

Roma Goals: Milner OG 15', Dzeko 52', Nainggolan 86' & pen 90'.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 9' & Wijnaldum 25'.

Match Stats: ASR 4-2 LFC
Possession: 60%-40%
Shots: 24-11
On target: 6-5
Corners: 7-3
Fouls 10-14
Yellow cards: 2-3

AS Roma Team: 1 Alisson; 11 Kolarov, 20 Fazio, 44 Manolas (booked), 24 Florenzi (booked); 4 Nainggolan, 16 De Rossi (21 Gonalons 69'), 7 Pellegrini (17 Uender 53'); 92 El Shaarawy (48 Antonucci 75'), 9 Dzeko, 14 Schick. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 28 Skorupski, 5 Jesus, 25 Peres, 30 Gerson.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson (booked), 6 Lovren (booked), 4 Van Dijk, 66 Alexander-Arnold (2 Clyne 90'); 7 Milner, 14 Henderson, 5 Wijnaldum; 19 Mané (17 Klavan 83'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 87', (booked)), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 18 Moreno, 28 Ings, 58 Woodburn.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slvn)
Man of the match: Sadio Mané
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Attendance: 61,889

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, i and Times newspapers, Twitter and beIN sports coverage.