Leicester 0-1 Liverpool Player Ratings: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s wild winner puts Liverpool on the brink of coronation as Leicester bow out of the league.
Liverpool move one step closer to the Premier League title as they beat Leicester 1-0 at the King Power Stadium. The game confirmed Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League as well. The hosts put up a brave effort by holding Liverpool at bay for the majority of the game. The rampant league leaders called upon Trent Alexander-Arnold from the bench to make an impact. The Englishman scored the winner with his left foot to seal all three points for them.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men found some joy by picking up a point to snap the nine-game losing run across all competitions. However, it was all too late as their drop was all but confirmed. Anything less than a win on the day would confirm their relegation to the Championship. Standing in their way was Liverpool, on the brink of coronation. Ricardo Pereira made his first league start after November, as Bobby Reid returned to the lineup in attack as well.
Liverpool announced Virgil Van Dijk’s contract extension midweek and were inching closer to their league title. The Reds named a strong lineup as Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to the bench after an injury layoff. Luis Diaz started the game at the false nine position as Cody Gakpo found a spot on the left wing. Arne Slot knew there was no room for complacency as they still needed to get the job done.
Liverpool started the game in ominous style as Mohamed Salah rattled both the posts with a single effort after being slipped in by Luis Diaz. Leicester immediately responded by providing a strong response on the counter. Both sides traded blow for blow as Wilfred Ndidi beat Alisson but was denied by the post. Going down the other way immediately, Salah forced a fine save from Hermansen following Gakpo’s cross.
The game then reached an impasse before Liverpool took charge again. Both their centre-backs had great chances from corner kicks as Leicester barely survived. Salah, Gakpo and Diaz all had great chances as Liverpool put good pressure on the hosts. However, Leicester failed to fold as they knew their survival was hanging in the balance.
They had a few bright moments on the break, and while trying to press Liverpool high up. There were only half chances as the foxes showed why they were so close to the drop. To everyone’s surprise, despite the number of chances created, Liverpool failed to take the lead, and the hosts failed to trouble the scorers. There was everything to play for in the second half.
Liverpool came in with improved hunger in the second half. Dominik Szoboszlai launched a rocket from outside the box early in the half, as Hermansen was equal to it once again. Pereira blocked a certain goal-bound shot from Gakpo as Diaz fired high from close range following a cutback.
Boyhood Liverpudlian Conor Coady believed he gave his side the lead when he headed home from close range. But he was denied as Patson Daka fouled Alisson in the buildup. Liverpool were increasingly growing restless as they entered the final quarter of the game, goalless.
Slot threw on Trent Alexander-Arnold in the hopes of grabbing the lead. The Englishman whose future talks were talk of the show quite often had to do his talking on the pitch this time. He stepped up and played some lovely passes early on. But when there was chaos in the Leicester box when Salah and Diogo Jota struck the post and bar immediately, Trent came to life.
He blasted a left-footed volley into the back of the net with the help of a deflection. It broke Leicester’s resistance and opened the scoring for Liverpool, who surely knew it was the winner. The goal prompted wild celebrations from Trent, who took his shirt off and ran off towards the away end to celebrate with the travelling Kop.
Liverpool had to defend cautiously to see the game out as Leicester were dejected. The crowd headed for the exits as their side made its way to the second division.
Liverpool are a step away from the Premier League title after picking up another three points. Arne Slot’s men could be crowned champions on Wednesday night if Arsenal falter against Crystal Palace. Or they could seal the title themselves at home with a win against Tottenham next Sunday. Meanwhile, Leicester’s journey in the Premier League comes to an end after just one season.
They proved pundits right by finishing in the bottom three after a strong Championship campaign last season. They have nothing but pride to play for next weekend when they host already relegated Southampton.
Here are the player ratings for Leicester vs Liverpool.
Leicester Player Ratings
GK- Mads Hermansen- 6.5/10
He was beaten early on, but both posts came to his rescue. He was in inspired form later on to deny Salah and Gakpo repeatedly.
RB- Ricardo Pereira- 7/10
He had a fantastic matchup with Gakpo and showed how good he can be if he’s fit. His ability to match Gakpo’s stride and track him patiently stood out. Made a brilliant block to deny Gakpo’s shot from close range.
CB- Wout Faes- 6/10
Had a couple of iffy moments on the ball, but he recovered well to keep playing out from the back.
CB- Conor Coady- 6/10
Had his heart in his mouth when he failed to clear a simple ball, allowing Gakpo to steal a header on goal. His passing needed some improvement as well.
LB- Luke Thomas- 6.5/10
Mohamed Salah gave him the slip on a few occasions, but the fullback did well to hold his ground and get some crucial interventions to deny the Egyptian.
DM- Wilfred Ndidi- 6.5/10
Had some freedom to join the attack as Soumare stayed back. Beat Alisson, and though he gave his side the lead but the post denied him.
DM- Boubakary Soumare- 6/10
Played as the deepest midfielder as he often tried to join the centre-backs to keep Liverpool out of their box. Impressed with his ball handling under pressure.
CAM- Bilal El Khannouss- 6/10
He was well marked out of the game by Liverpool’s midfield as he struggled to pick those pockets of space behind the midfield.
RW- Bobby De Cordova-Reid- 5/10
Had more involvement in defence than attack, as there was virtually nothing happening down his wing in attack.
ST- Jamie Vardy- 5.5/10
The veteran striker found two immovable objects in Van Dijk and Konate, as he often lost all duels against them. Rarely had the chance to lead some breaks, but he couldn’t produce the goods.
LW- Stephy Mavididi- 6.5/10
Ran rings around Bradley once to create a great chance for Ndidi. But couldn’t repeat it as Liverpool shored up their right side.
SUB- Facundo Buonanotte- 6/10
SUB- Patson Daka- 6/10
SUB- James Justin- 6/10
SUB- Oliver Skipp- 6/10
SUB- Jeremy Monga- 6/10
Manager- Ruud van Nistelrooy- 5/10
His side had the right attitude going into the game, knowing defeat would spell the end of the road in the top flight. However, one might ask, where was this fire in the belly in the previous games? The result today wasn’t any different as his side ultimately buckled after a fruitful start.
Liverpool Player Ratings
GK- Alisson- 6/10
He was beaten all hands up when Ndidi fired past him, but he was glad to see the post come to his aid.
RB- Conor Bradley- 6.5/10
Spun by Mavididi early on, he locked in to defend more cautiously later on. Showed some good combinations with Salah in attack.
CB- Ibrahima Konate- 7/10
Was happy to come across and defend the right channel as Bradley galloped into attack. Came on top with the most duels against Vardy.
CB- Virgil van Dijk- 7.5/10
The leader of the pack yet again had a supreme game in defence. Played some impressive long balls and should’ve scored with a free header from a corner.
LB- Kostas Tsimikas- 7/10
Provided fine support to Gakpo on the left wing in attack and played a couple of lovely crosses into the middle. Had very little defensive duty.
DM- Ryan Gravenberch- 7/10
The Dutchman swept up a lot of loose balls to pick up the ball and help Liverpool maintain the pressure. Could’ve contributed a bit more to the attack.
DM- Alexis MacAllister- 7/10
Acted as the link between attack and defence and kept his side ticking on the ball. His set pieces needed better justice from the attackers.
CAM- Dominik Szoboszlai- 6.5/10
He needed to do much more in attack as Liverpool pinned Leicester down, but weren’t able to break them down. Had a good shot in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for his side.
RW- Mohamed Salah- 7/10
He beat the keeper but was denied as the ball struck both posts. Created a lot of opportunities as he is chasing the assist record as well. But he could get neither the goal nor the assist.
ST- Luis Diaz- 7/10
Showed a lot of promise at false 9 as he did a lot of things that a proper false 9 would be proud of. His chance creation was top notch yet again as he came to scoring multiple times.
LW- Cody Gakpo- 6.5/10
His goal duck in the league continues as he met an inspired Ricardo in his way. The Portuguese there everything to keep Gakpo at bay before he was taken off.
SUB- Diogo Jota- 6/10
SUB- Harvey Elliott- 6/10
SUB- Trent Alexander-Arnold- 8/10
His quality on the ball was immediately visible as he played a few line breakers. Scored a fantastic volley with his weaker left foot to open the scoring.
SUB- Curtis Jones- N/A
Manager- Arne Slot- 7/10
His side started the game with a lot of intent and the right ideas. But they weren’t able to take the lead as the forward line missed their shooting boots. His decision to bring Trent on paid dividends as the right-back proved his value immediately. One win away from the title in his debut season.
Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: Trent Alexander-Arnold.
When did Leicester last win against Liverpool?
Leicester’s last win against Liverpool was four years ago in 2021.
Did Leicester ever win the Premier League?
Leicester City won the Premier League in 2016 in a fairytale fashion.
Who was the best player in Leicester vs Liverpool?
Trent Alexander-Arnold was the best player in Leicester vs Liverpool.
Who was the worst player in Leicester vs Liverpool?
Bobby Reid was the worst player in Leicester vs Liverpool.