Leicester 3-1 Liverpool
I covered a Leicester game a few weeks ago and mentioned they were in free fall. Despite losing their last 5 games in the league, I would have predicted that they would get out of the rut and avoid relegation. But things have changed. Inexplicably, the owners made a rash decision and sacked the greatest manager in Leicester City history. Ranieri accomplished the impossible. He managed to break the mould and win the league with a bunch of journeymen and misfits. For his accomplishments it is fitting to describe Ranieri as a miracle worker. There was a joke going round on twitter which although extreme, I agree with the message it was delivering:
Liverpool have also had a number of problems recently and have faltered drastically in recent months. They looked to have been Chelsea's closest competitors at the turn of the year, but a series of poor results have seen them slip to 5th, 14 points behind the league leaders. Given Chelsea's unwavering form, it looks as if the best Liverpool can hope for is a top 4 finish and a return to the Champions League. But things are on the up for Liverpool, and they will be buoyed by the return of influential forward Sadio Mane and by the fact Coutinho will be back to full fitness following injury. These two are Liverpool's most important players, and if they stay fit they should go on to finish in the top 4.
Most of the action was in front of the Liverpool goal and Mignolet was called into action again. Vardy did brilliantly to carve out a shooting opportunity for himself, but with only the Liverpool goalkeeper to beat he could not make clean contact on his shot and thus Mignolet was able to save.
Liverpool were struggling to get going and were not doing enough to test Schmeichel in the Leicester goal. Firmino, Coutinho and Mane were all largely anonymous for much of the opening stages and the home side were coping well in quelling the threat that the trio posed.
Leicester had been the better team and made their dominance count 27 minutes into the game. Wijnaldum was careless with possession in midfield and his sloppy touch gave the ball to Albrighton. The former Aston Villa man played a lovely first time ball to Vardy, and he made no mistake as he showed great composure to curl the ball round Mignolet at his near post. (1-0)
It was just rewards for Leicester who had all the chances in the opening half hour. Schmeichel was called into action just a minute after they had took the lead, and the Dane did well as he was equal to Coutinho's effort.
The home side did not look like a team who had lost their last 5 in the league. Vardy was proving to be a menacing presence time and time again and he was finally starting to look like the Vardy of last year.
And soon Leicester doubled their advantage. Fuchs catapulted another long throw into the box but Liverpool looked as if they had cleared the danger. However they cleared the ball only as far as Drinkwater, and he made them pay as he unleashed a stunning effort from 20 yards that flew past Mignolet with some velocity. (2-0)
Schmeichel ensured that his side would go into the break with a 2 goal advantage as he was able to get his fingertips to a placed shot from the boot of Can.
Half Time: (2-0)
This was a terrific effort from Leicester and it looked as if every player was giving their utmost effort to ensure they got the 3 points. They had not given Liverpool a sniff in front of goal and were looking menacing in attack; especially from set plays. So far so good for interim manager, Craig Shakespeare.
In contrast Jurgen Klopp would not have been pleased with his side going into half time. They were second best all over the pitch. They could not create anything in attack. Their midfield were sloppy in possession. Their defence was being terrorised by Vardy and collectively they could not cope with Leicester's threat from set pieces. They needed to get their act together if they had any intention of securing a top 4 finish this season.
It was a quiet start to the second with Liverpool holding much of the ball; but they were unable to make their possession count. Coutinho would call Schmeichel into action as he fired in a low shot from 20 yards, but the Dane was able to get down and make the save with relative ease.
But they did not look like scoring, and they found themselves in an even bigger mess as Leicester scored a third. Fuchs whipped in a brilliant ball into the box with his right foot, and his cross was met by the leaping Vardy who glanced his effort into the corner of the net. (3-0)
Leicester were proving the doubters wrong and looked a team reborn following Ranieri's sacking. With 30 minutes to go they were cruising in this game and looked like they were going to secure a vital 3 points which would see them climb out of the relegation zone.
In a rare good move for Liverpool they were able to carve through the Leicester defence, but again they could not find a way past Schmeichel as he saved comfortably to deny Lallana.
With 25 minutes to go the away side were starting to show why they were 13 positions above Leicester in the Premier League table. They managed to get a goal back when Can found Coutinho just outside the box, and the tricky Brazilian got Liverpool back in the game as he calmly placed his effort past Schmeichel and into the bottom corner. (3-1)
Liverpool had their tails up and nearly grabbed another shortly after, but Origi was not able to find a way past Schmeichel.
Minutes after, Drinkwater had a good chance to seal the tie following good work from Mahrez, but he could not get his effort on target despite only being 12 yards out.
Chances were starting to fall to either side now as Liverpool threw men forward to try and get back in the game. Lucas was next to have an effort at goal but he could only watch on as his header sailed wide.
With 5 minutes to go it looked as if Leicester were going onto cling onto victory. However Schmeichel was left to count his lucky stars as he parried a tame Coutinho effort wide. It was an uncharacteristic mistake from the Dane and one that he was fortunate to get away with.
Klopp turned to youth to bring his side back into the game, with Woodburn and Origi being thrown into the action. But this did not help as Liverpool could not create any clear-cut chances and so Leicester would hang on for a much needed victory.
Full Time: 3-1
The full-time whistle was met with scenes of jubilation inside the King Power stadium. Craig Shakespeare's tenure as interim manager had got off to a convincing start as they were able to see off a Liverpool side who were far from their best. That was the first win for Leicester in 2017, and it sees them climb out of the relegation zone and up to 15th place with 24 points. I must say I was extremely critical of Leicester for their decision to sack Ranieri, and although this was only one result, it looked as if I would be proved wrong if this form is continued.
Liverpool will be extremely disappointing with the performance and result. They were second best all over the pitch, and thoroughly deserved to lose the game. They remain in 5th place with 49 points, but having played a game more than Manchester United, it looks as if they will slip to 6th very soon.
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy
Honourable mention: Christian Fuchs
'Leicester City sacking Ranieri is like a doctor losing his job for failing to cure cancer, despite having cured aids'
Not only was the Italian a club legend, he also created Premier League history. I believe his sacking will prove to be even more detrimental to the football club; no one will be able to replicate what he accomplished. I was adamant that they would avoid relegation under Ranieri, I am now adamant that they will be relegated.
Liverpool have also had a number of problems recently and have faltered drastically in recent months. They looked to have been Chelsea's closest competitors at the turn of the year, but a series of poor results have seen them slip to 5th, 14 points behind the league leaders. Given Chelsea's unwavering form, it looks as if the best Liverpool can hope for is a top 4 finish and a return to the Champions League. But things are on the up for Liverpool, and they will be buoyed by the return of influential forward Sadio Mane and by the fact Coutinho will be back to full fitness following injury. These two are Liverpool's most important players, and if they stay fit they should go on to finish in the top 4.
Pundit's match predictions: (1 point for correct winner and 1 point for correct result)
1) James Stroud (Charlton fan - 3 points): 4-1 to Liverpool. Last year was a fairy tale for Leicester, but this year has been a nightmare. Liverpool's attacking prowess will tear apart a Leicester defence which is showing no signs of improvement.
2=) Jordan Parslow (Manchester United fan - 2 point): 2-0 to Liverpool. The sacking of Ranieri will not bring about a response for Leicester.
6=) Luke Marsh (Manchester United fan - 1 point): 3-0 Liverpool. It will be a walk in the park for Klopp's men. Even before the sacking of Ranieri I would have gone with Liverpool.
1) James Stroud (Charlton fan - 3 points): 4-1 to Liverpool. Last year was a fairy tale for Leicester, but this year has been a nightmare. Liverpool's attacking prowess will tear apart a Leicester defence which is showing no signs of improvement.
2=) James Rolt (Chelsea fan - 2 point): 4-0 to Liverpool. Leicester made a big mistake sacking Ranieri and will pay the price as a result.
2=) James Kaye (Arsenal fan - 2 point): 3-1 to Liverpool. Their front three will be too much for Leicester to handle. Mane to score for the Reds.
2=) David Stroud (Chelsea fan - 2 point): 1-1 draw. The sacking of Ranieri will bring about a slight change in fortune and Leicester will battle to a draw.
2=) James Kaye (Arsenal fan - 2 point): 3-1 to Liverpool. Their front three will be too much for Leicester to handle. Mane to score for the Reds.
2=) David Stroud (Chelsea fan - 2 point): 1-1 draw. The sacking of Ranieri will bring about a slight change in fortune and Leicester will battle to a draw.
2=) Jordan Parslow (Manchester United fan - 2 point): 2-0 to Liverpool. The sacking of Ranieri will not bring about a response for Leicester.
6=) Luke Marsh (Manchester United fan - 1 point): 3-0 Liverpool. It will be a walk in the park for Klopp's men. Even before the sacking of Ranieri I would have gone with Liverpool.
6=) Adrian Ross (Chelsea fan - 1 point): 3-1 to Liverpool. Leicester's party is over.
Leicester are in dire straights. They find themselves in the bottom 3 and in great danger of relegation. The sacking of Ranieri is baffling to many, but will their players benefit by seeing the back of their history making manager?
The teams lined up as follows:
Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Mahrez, Okazaki, Albrighton, Vardy
Subs: Zieler. Chilwell, King, Amartey, Gray, Slimani, Ulloa
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lucas, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Coutinho, Firmino
Subs: Karius, Moreno, Klaven, Stewart, Alexander-Arnold, Origi, Woodburn
Kick off:
Leicester started off the game the better side and looked as if they had quickly moved on from the Ranieri era. They were causing problems for Liverpool from long throws, with Mignolet being called into action on two occasions to deny both Huth and Okazaki.Most of the action was in front of the Liverpool goal and Mignolet was called into action again. Vardy did brilliantly to carve out a shooting opportunity for himself, but with only the Liverpool goalkeeper to beat he could not make clean contact on his shot and thus Mignolet was able to save.
Liverpool were struggling to get going and were not doing enough to test Schmeichel in the Leicester goal. Firmino, Coutinho and Mane were all largely anonymous for much of the opening stages and the home side were coping well in quelling the threat that the trio posed.
Leicester had been the better team and made their dominance count 27 minutes into the game. Wijnaldum was careless with possession in midfield and his sloppy touch gave the ball to Albrighton. The former Aston Villa man played a lovely first time ball to Vardy, and he made no mistake as he showed great composure to curl the ball round Mignolet at his near post. (1-0)
It was just rewards for Leicester who had all the chances in the opening half hour. Schmeichel was called into action just a minute after they had took the lead, and the Dane did well as he was equal to Coutinho's effort.
The home side did not look like a team who had lost their last 5 in the league. Vardy was proving to be a menacing presence time and time again and he was finally starting to look like the Vardy of last year.
And soon Leicester doubled their advantage. Fuchs catapulted another long throw into the box but Liverpool looked as if they had cleared the danger. However they cleared the ball only as far as Drinkwater, and he made them pay as he unleashed a stunning effort from 20 yards that flew past Mignolet with some velocity. (2-0)
Schmeichel ensured that his side would go into the break with a 2 goal advantage as he was able to get his fingertips to a placed shot from the boot of Can.
Half Time: (2-0)
This was a terrific effort from Leicester and it looked as if every player was giving their utmost effort to ensure they got the 3 points. They had not given Liverpool a sniff in front of goal and were looking menacing in attack; especially from set plays. So far so good for interim manager, Craig Shakespeare.
In contrast Jurgen Klopp would not have been pleased with his side going into half time. They were second best all over the pitch. They could not create anything in attack. Their midfield were sloppy in possession. Their defence was being terrorised by Vardy and collectively they could not cope with Leicester's threat from set pieces. They needed to get their act together if they had any intention of securing a top 4 finish this season.
It was a quiet start to the second with Liverpool holding much of the ball; but they were unable to make their possession count. Coutinho would call Schmeichel into action as he fired in a low shot from 20 yards, but the Dane was able to get down and make the save with relative ease.
But they did not look like scoring, and they found themselves in an even bigger mess as Leicester scored a third. Fuchs whipped in a brilliant ball into the box with his right foot, and his cross was met by the leaping Vardy who glanced his effort into the corner of the net. (3-0)
Leicester were proving the doubters wrong and looked a team reborn following Ranieri's sacking. With 30 minutes to go they were cruising in this game and looked like they were going to secure a vital 3 points which would see them climb out of the relegation zone.
In a rare good move for Liverpool they were able to carve through the Leicester defence, but again they could not find a way past Schmeichel as he saved comfortably to deny Lallana.
With 25 minutes to go the away side were starting to show why they were 13 positions above Leicester in the Premier League table. They managed to get a goal back when Can found Coutinho just outside the box, and the tricky Brazilian got Liverpool back in the game as he calmly placed his effort past Schmeichel and into the bottom corner. (3-1)
Liverpool had their tails up and nearly grabbed another shortly after, but Origi was not able to find a way past Schmeichel.
Minutes after, Drinkwater had a good chance to seal the tie following good work from Mahrez, but he could not get his effort on target despite only being 12 yards out.
Chances were starting to fall to either side now as Liverpool threw men forward to try and get back in the game. Lucas was next to have an effort at goal but he could only watch on as his header sailed wide.
With 5 minutes to go it looked as if Leicester were going onto cling onto victory. However Schmeichel was left to count his lucky stars as he parried a tame Coutinho effort wide. It was an uncharacteristic mistake from the Dane and one that he was fortunate to get away with.
Klopp turned to youth to bring his side back into the game, with Woodburn and Origi being thrown into the action. But this did not help as Liverpool could not create any clear-cut chances and so Leicester would hang on for a much needed victory.
Full Time: 3-1
The full-time whistle was met with scenes of jubilation inside the King Power stadium. Craig Shakespeare's tenure as interim manager had got off to a convincing start as they were able to see off a Liverpool side who were far from their best. That was the first win for Leicester in 2017, and it sees them climb out of the relegation zone and up to 15th place with 24 points. I must say I was extremely critical of Leicester for their decision to sack Ranieri, and although this was only one result, it looked as if I would be proved wrong if this form is continued.
Liverpool will be extremely disappointing with the performance and result. They were second best all over the pitch, and thoroughly deserved to lose the game. They remain in 5th place with 49 points, but having played a game more than Manchester United, it looks as if they will slip to 6th very soon.
Player ratings:
Leicester: Schmeichel(7) Simpson(7) Morgan(7) Huth(7) Fuchs(8) Drinkwater(7) Ndidi(7) Mahrez(6) Okazaki(7) Albrighton(8) Vardy(9)
Subs: Chilwell(6) Amartey(6) Gray(6)
Liverpool: Mignolet(6) Clyne(6) Matip(5) Lucas(5) Milner(6) Can(6) Wijnaldum(5) Lallana(5) Mane(5) Coutinho(6) Firmino(5)
Subs: Moreno(5) Origi(5) Woodburn(5)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy
Honourable mention: Christian Fuchs
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