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.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 32

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 32

The 32nd week of the Premier League action saw:

29 goals - most by West Ham, Man City, Arsenal & Chelsea = 3 each
231 shots - most by Arsenal = 24
79 on target - most by Arsenal = 13
95 corners - most by Man City = 11
196 fouls - most by Watford & Southampton = 16 each
29 yellow cards - most by Leicester, Huddersfield & Watford = 4 each
1 red card - Wilfred Ndidi for Leicester
5 penalties - 4 scored (Milivojevic for Palace, King for Bournemouth, Aubameyang & Lacazette for Arsenal)

What a game! Glenn Murray's first penalty miss for Brighton cost his side dearly, Kasper Schmeichel guessing right and saving it, equalling his dad Peter's record of three penalty saves (3 in 14 v 3 in 21 attempts respectively, not bad at all!!!). Late drama in the last ten minutes and stoppage time saw Vicente Iborra head the visitors ahead after the spot kick miss and Jamie Vardy doubling the lead and sealing the win deep into injury time after Wilfred Ndidi was sent off for a second bookable offence. Not his day. But the Foxes still ran away with the win in the end.
Spot kicks is what saved the game and day for Arsenal on Sunday, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette netting both soft penalties, the prior's brace completing the scoreline in-between. Three goals in the last 16 minutes against Stoke at the end of a boring encounter, the visitors will have felt very hard done by at the Emirates, the result seeing them stay 19th, three points from safety.

What a team! West Ham were very happy 3-0 winners against sad Southampton, as I read on BBC, what a difference three weeks, three goals and three points make after all the fan trouble!!! João Mário and Marko Arnautović with a brace, Hammers' first win since February made David Moyes' life so much easier. "The crowd were good." one of the scorers said in the post-match interview. A bit patronising, no? (Despite the added security after all the trouble last time in the London Stadium.) The win has taken them up to 14th. And breath.
Leroy Sané's left-footed smacker gave league leaders Manchester City the lead at Goodison Park after just about four minutes played. Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling added to Everton's misery. Yannick Bolasie did pull one back for the home side but it was too little too late, the visitors enjoying 90% possession at times, the highest FT total of 81% ever held in a PL match by any side. Pep Guardiola recorded his 50th PL win and his men can win the title against arch rivals Manchester United at the Etihad next week. Wow.

What a man! Top scorer Mohamed Salah was on the scoreboard once again, topping the Premier League list and nearing Cristiano Ronaldo's 2007-08 record to help Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 1-2 at Selhurst Park. More to that difficult win on Saturday lunchtime below.
Romelu Lukaku scored his 100th Premier League goal with just over four minutes on the clock helping Manchester United to a comfy 2-0 win against Swansea in the evening match at Old Trafford. Alexis Sánchez doubled the Red Devils' lead with under half an hour gone and David de Gea made a couple of brilliant saves, but they won't have it that easy at the Etihad next weekend, that's for sure!!!

What a goal! Ayoze Pérez left it late to net the winner for Newcastle against Huddersfield at the end of a frustrating encounter for the home side at St James' Park. An important goal for an important win as manager Rafael Benítez put it bang on.
A spectacular full body volley by Ashley Barnes helped Burnley to their win at West Brom, keeping his side's European hopes alive with their third successive win, whilst sealing his opponents' misery condemning them to a Premier League record eighth successive defeat keeping them rock bottom.
Tottenham's Christian Eriksen's stunning equaliser from 25 yards out, up and over Chelsea keeper Willy Caballero, woke everyone up at Stamford Bridge, levelling out Álvaro Morata's opening header. Dele Alli then put the visitors ahead just past the hour-mark with a lovely touch and shot, the Blue defence just watching, leaving free space to score. And the England forward pounced on the stunned hosts again seconds later off Son Heung-min, both Spurs players not giving up after some ping pong in the box and in eventually to make it 1-3. And then Harry Kane came on... But it was all sealed by then, Spurs' first league win at Stamford Bridge in 28 years! Too easy! Chelsea shambles!

What the hell?! Jermain Defoe was the super sub with an injury-time equaliser, his first goal since December, for Bournemouth at Watford, the Cherries never give up, comeback kings! José Holebas' daft punch away handball that gave the visitors the penalty for their first leveller didn't help the home side either. How stupid can you get?! And Sadio Mané diving, whining, being flagged offside, scoring, handling the ball - the Senegalese was one lucky man to stay on the pitch at Selhurst Park!!! Click here for my full match report. Jürgen Klopp and some of the reporters covering said there was contact and it should have been a penalty - contact doesn't mean foul and he did dramatise it! And then handling the ball before the ref whistled, he was pushing it!!! His German boss cannot defend that! If the Reds play like this in the big Champions League clash against City on Wednesday, they'll get thrashed!!!

My Predictions - Actual Results
Crystal Palace 2:3 Liverpool - 1:2 or my match report
Brighton 2:1 Leicester - 0:2
Man United 1:2 Swansea - 2:0
Newcastle 2:0 Huddersfield - 1:0
Watford 1:1 Bournemouth - 2:2
West Brom 0:2 Burnley - 1:2
West Ham 3:2 Southampton - 3:0
Everton 1:2 Man City - 1:3
Arsenal 2:0 Stoke City - 3:0
Chelsea 2:2 Tottenham - 1:3

Click here for my previous Premier League Picks Of The Week.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Sky Sports, SFR and BT Sports match coverage.

Reds Down Foxes In 5-Goal Thriller

Sports - Football - Premier League - LCFC 2:3 LFC

Liverpool ended their dire run of four games without a win, beating Leicester 2-3 in the Premier League Saturday evening kick-off at the King Power Stadium, surviving a fightback with Simon Mignolet denying Jamie Vardy from the spot.

Click here for my full ByTheMinute match coverage.

Both sides made loads of changes from their cup clash on Tuesday, eight each, including Riyad Mahrez, Shinji Okazaki and Vardy all starting for the Foxes, Philippe Coutinho for the Reds with Sadio Mané still suspended.

It started tense, both sides not showing too much confidence with the ball, making the game more open, end-to-end stuff.

Vardy and Mahrez missed a couple of chances early on, the prior denied by Mignolet before the latter saw his rebound shot go wide.

Emre Can hit the post with Kasper Schmeichel on full-stretch, Mohamed Salah putting the rebound wide.

Okazaki headed wide after Liverpool were unable to clear the ball, seconds before Salah broke the deadlock with just over a quarter of an hour gone.

Coutinho set up the Egyptian with a lovely cross from the left, Salah heading it into the right corner from a tight angle, Schmeichel could only tap the ball into the goal with his finger tips.

The Brazilian star doubled the score halfway through the first half with a brilliant free kick from the little semi-circle just outside the box, right-footer into the left corner, no chance for the keeper.

So, 0-2 up, the Red dominance in possession and play was reflected by the score line for a change.

But the home side ended the half pushing and pressing more, seeing Okazaki's goal flagged and disallowed offside.

It would have been too good to be true to go into the break with a two-goal lead AND a clean sheet for Jürgen Klopp's men after bossing most of the half thanks to Salah and Coutinho.

A scruffy end to the half saw Okazaki pull one back for Leicester deep into injury time:

The Japanese forward had the last touch before the ball crossed the line after it looked like Mignolet had been fouled trying to defend a Mahrez corner, Vardy heading the ball away from the keeper.

The goal stood, it was 1-2 at the break, the Reds' high spirit dampened a bit whilst Craig Shakespeare had something to grasp on.

In the second half, Liverpool continued dominating, but not controlling the game, nerves showing and shaking again and again. With just under 25 minutes gone, all madness broke out.

Under-fire skipper Jordan Henderson made it 1-3 with an easy right-footed shot from the centre of the box.

Seconds later, Vardy pulled one back to make it 2-3, heading the ball in from a tight angle on the left, after Mignolet had pushed substitute Demarai Gray's shot to the striker.

Defence was lacking in both build-ups to the goals, unable to mark, tackle or even just close in on their opponents.

Not even three minutes after that, Mignolet conceded a penalty bringing down Vardy in the box, some pointing out his luck just to see a yellow card for the challenge, his contact with the ball most probably to thank for that.

But the Belgian keeper made up for it, pushing away Vardy's right-footed shot, too central to make it past and in.

Mignolet has now saved seven of his 15 penalties faced since joining LFC in the 2013-14, more than any other stopper.

Schmeichel denied Sturridge late on with a full-stretched save, whilst Vardy put a chance wide before a last-minute free-kick to the home side with their keeper in the Red box was cleared.

It ended 2-3, to the Reds' relief. The Foxes have now only won two of the last 11 Premier League meetings with the Reds, losing seven.

Liverpool have lost just one of their last eight Premier League away games. However, they have conceded ten goals in their opening three games on the road for the first time since 1965.

One does not have to point out the problem(s). Again. Rather appreciate the three points and hope it's just the start to the change of fortune and form. #COYR XxXxX #YNWA

LCFC goals: Okazaki 45'+3 & Vardy 69'.

LFC goals: Salah 15', Coutinho 23' & Henderson 68'.

LCFC team: 1 Schmeichel, 2 Simpson, 5 Morgan, 15 Maguire, 3 Chilwell, 10 King, 25 Ndidi (booked 22'), 11 Albrighton (booked 17') (19 Slimani 80'), 26 Mahrez (7 Gray 61'), 9 Vardy (booked 90'+2), 20 Okazaki (8 Iheanacho 74'). 4-4-1-1
LCFC subs not used: 12 Hamer, 18 Amartey, 21 Iborra, 28 Fuchs.

LFC team: 22 Mignolet (booked 72'), 12 Gomez, 6 Lovren (booked 56'), 32 Matip (booked 45'+2), 18 Moreno, 14 Henderson, 23 Can (7 Milner74'), 5 Wijnaldum, 10 Coutinho (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 79'), 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 64'), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
LFC subs not used: Bench: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

HT stats: LCFC 1:2 LFC
Possession: 41%-59%
Shots: 6-10
On target: 4-3
Corners: 3-3
Fouls: 8-5
Yellow cards: 2-1

FT stats: LCFC 2-3 LFC
Possession: 43%-57%
Shots: 12-23
On target: 7-6
Corners: 3-6
Fouls: 13-14
Yellow cards: 3-3

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Man of the match: Philippe Coutinho
Stadium: The King Power

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All the pictures, facts and stats are taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and SFR match coverage.

Liverpool Lift PL Asia Trophy

Sports - Football - PL Asia Trophy - LFC 2:1 LCFC

Liverpool lifted the Premier League Asia Trophy after beating Leicester 2-1 at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Click here to relive all the action with my ByTheMin coverage.

The 2016 champions took the lead after 12 minutes with a lovely goal.

Defender Christian Fuchs got to the byline, crossed from the left, finding Algerian forward Islam Slimani towards the far post, who headed it in, to complete a nicely worked goal.

Another Algerian midfielder was the shining light for Leicester in an action-packed opening 15-20 minutes.

Riyad Mahrez created and produced most, team mates Daniel Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy helping him out nicely, with some lovely team play.

Liverpool looked more clumsy, defender Joel Matip especially, not having a clue what to do with the ball, taking too long, giving it away, too much, too many times.

Red boss Jürgen Klopp was going mental on the side-lines, ranting at one of the officials.

The crowd was having their fun with it, chanting and cheering to see if the loud German would be cautioned...

But he remained in the technical area. Jawohl.

It was hard to believe this was a friendly.

A nice run and great cross by Barca target Philippe Coutinho set up striker Mohamed Salah to head it past Kasper Schmeichel and level the score 1-1 with 20 minutes gone.

And just before the break, the little magician was at it again.

A right-footed smacker of a strike by the Brazilian from the edge of the left corner of the box gave Schmeichel no chance and made it 2-1.

The crowd were on their feet and in awe, and Klopp much happier.

The second half saw a bulk of substitutions and more changes throughout, continuously changing the flow of play and action.

Liverpool kept dominating possession and play though, Leicester missing most opportunities.

It was not to be for Craig Shakespeare's men, the Reds seeing them out of the competition holding on to their fine lead.

The Red fans are left hoping and definitely believing that this is just the first of many trophies, just a warm-up of what is to come.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 66 Alexander-Arnold*, 32 Matip*, 6 Lovren*, 7 Milner* (c); 5 Wijnaldum*, 20 Lallana*, 10 Coutinho*; 11 Salah*, 9 Firmino*, 27 Origi*. 4-3-3
Substitutes: 12 Gomez*, 14 Henderson*, 15 Sturridge*, 16 Grujic*, 17 Klavan*, 18 Moreno*, 22 Mignolet, 29 Solanke*, 38 Flanagan*, 40 Kent*, 58 Woodburn*.

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 18 Amartey*, 5 Morgan* (c), 15 Maguire, 28 Fuchs; 26 Mahrez* (booked), 22 James*, 4 Drinkwater*, 11 Albrighton*; 19 Slimani*, 9 Vardy*. 4-4-2
Substitutes: 2 Simpson*, 10 King*, 13 Musa*, 16 Lawrence*, 17 Jakupovic, 20 Okazaki, 21 Iborra*, 23 Ulloa*, 25 Ndidi* (booked), 29 Benalouane*, 31 Elder, 32 Barnes, 33 Moore.

*Subs made, most in the second half

HT Stats: LFC 2-1 LCFC
Possession: 58%-42%
Shots: 6-3
On target: 3-1
Blocked: 3-1
Offside: 1-1
Passes: 220-161
Touches: 311-231
Tackles: 8-6

FT Stats: LFC 2-1 LCFC
Possession: 64%-36%
Shots: 11-6
On target: 6-2
Blocked: 4-2
Offside: 2-1
Passes: 541-314
Touches: 704-450
Tackles: 12-15 

Referee: R. Madley
Man of the match: Philippe Coutinho
Ground: Hong Kong Stadium

Click here to read my last LFC match report.

Pictures, stats and facts taken from the LCFC and LFC matchday blog and Sky Sports match coverage.

FT Summary LCFC 3-1 LFC

Sports - Football - PL - LCFC 3:1 LFC

Craig Shakespeare in temporary charge after Claudio Ranieri's dismissal, looking for Leicester's first league win since Boxing Day, Jamie Vardy not on the scoreboard since 10th December.

Liverpool wanting to build on their first win of the year against Tottenham, 16 days ago, Philippe Coutinho having not scored nor provided in the last seven games since his return from injury.

The opening 20ish minutes were all Leicester, 4-0 attempts, 2-0 on target, Vardy coming the closest, one-on-one versus Simon Mignolet, the Belgian stopper's legs denying the striker.

But the 30-year-old forward pounced on Georginio Wijnaldum's giveaway, with enough time and space off Marc Albrighton to compose himself and put the Foxes ahead with his right foot, nice and comfy after 28 minutes, the champions' first league goal since New Year's Eve!

Kasper Schmeichel denied Coutinho just over a minute later after a lovely buildup, first real chance for the Reds.

Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi fed off Vardy to be denied by Mignolet with just over half an hour gone.

Liverpool producing some quality, but Leicester comfortably on top...

And what a strike it was that doubled the lead for the Foxes, Danny Drinkwater whacking it in with his right foot from distance after James Milner thought he had cleared the danger, no chance for the keeper.

Two minutes added on, The King Power sounding loud and proud, a bit mocking. What crises?!?!?! Nicht gut for Red boss Jürgen Klopp.

Leicester continued on top after the break, Liverpool just curving out but messing up half chances, Coutinho and Sadio Mané looking desperate at the front.

With an hour gone, Vardy headed in his second off a Christian Fuchs cross, the Foxes' third. Oh, just like in the good old days (= last season).

Shortly after Liverpool made a double-change, and Ranieri's name rang around the stadium, the Reds ripped the home side open for the first time, Coutinho pouncing and netting the chance to make it 3-1, his sixth league goal of the season.

Drinkwater put one chance wide not long before conceding a corner which was headed wide eventually by Lucas Leiva.

Vardy received treatment after a clash of heads with Wijnaldum, just under ten minutes left on the clock, Klopp bringing on youngster Ben Woodburn to replace Lucas.

Schmeichel spilled Coutinho's shot out for a corner, which Liverpool could not make much of, keeping the score at 3-1 in the final minutes.

Nathaniel Clyne won another corner for the Reds, blocked out, for Leicester to counter, losing out possession eventually.

Feisty challenges left, right and centre late on, the referee Michael Oliver let the play flow.

Five minutes added on after the Foxes made their final change, tired legs out there.

A free kick given away by Milner in the final minute, Fuchs tried to beat Mignolet cheekily high from distance, sending the ball out, just.

Seconds later, the whistle went, cheers rang through the King Power celebrating their first win of the year.

Man of the match Vardy back how and where he belongs, on the scoreboard, with two goals, Drinkwater adding to that with a beauty.

Possession may have been dominated by the visitors, but they never took over any control, the hosts bossing it from start to finish.

Or as Klopp put and summarised it for the Reds in the post-match interview, it was a bad start, bad middle, bad end.

The win takes Leicester out of the relegation zone, up to 15th, Liverpool stay in 5th with just one point between them and bitter rivals Manchester United in 6th with a game in hand.

Leicester Pre-Match Form: LLWLLL

Liverpool Pre-Match Form: LLLDLW

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 28 Fuchs, 6 Huth, 5 Morgan (c), 17 Simpson; 25 Ndidi, 4 Drinkwater; 11 Albrighton (3 Chilwell 90'), 20 Okazaki (13 Amartey 69'), 26 Mahrez (22 Gray 80'); 9 Vardy. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 10 King, 19 Slimani, 21 Zieler, 23 Ulloa.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner (c), 21 Lucas (58 Woodburn 84'), 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 20 Lallana (27 Origi 66'); 10 Coutinho, 11 Firmino, 19 Mané (18 Moreno 66'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 35 Stewart, 66 Alex-Arnold.

Leicester Goals: Vardy 28' & 60, Drinkwater 39'.

Liverpool Goal: Coutinho 68'.

HT & FT stats: LCFC-LFC
Score: 2-0 & 3-1
Possession: 38.6%-62.2% & 30.9%-69.1%
Attempts: 9-6 & 13-17
On target: 5-3 & 7-7
Offside: 2-1 & 3-2
Corners: 5-6 & 5-12
Free kicks: 6-4 & 8-5
Yellow cards: 0-0 & 0-0
Red cards: 0-0 & 0-0

Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy
Ground: The King Power Stadium
Attendance: 32,034

Click here my HT Summary LCFC 2-0 LFC.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Pictures taken from the BBC match report, stats and facts taken from the Sky Sports app and live coverage.