A look back at the key moments in Liverpool’s narrative satisfying victory over Leicester City in Premier League action.

Leicester City 0 – 1 Liverpool

Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold 76’

Pre-Match

Well, with Arsenal beating Ipswich Town earlier on Sunday, the pressure has been let off only slightly. Liverpool need to win to turn their magic number from 6 into 3 and then they can lock the league down next weekend at home against Spurs. Leicester, on the other side, will be relegated unless they win today, so here is hoping that the old Robin Hood version of Liverpool doesn’t show up and try to gift three points to a club that needs it.

Arne Slot makes two changes to the starting lineup, with Cody Gakpo starting over Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai coming on for Curtis Jones. Darwin Núñez and Trent Alexander-Arnold both return to the bench, just adding more options for the coach depending on how the match ends up.

All that matters is the three points.

First Half

And we’re off! Liverpool take the kick and get the match started, but Leicester wins possession quickly, but it doesn’t last long. The Reds have an early chance at a goal as Mohamed Salah gets forward, but his shot hits the post and skims the face of the goal. If that’s a sign for the rest of the match, with Liverpool’s intent being clear and Leicester’s control being lackluster, we’re in for a treat.

Liverpool get into a bit of trouble around the 9th minute with Wilfred Ndidi getting forward, but their shot also finds the post in thumping fashion and the Reds go on the counter. Leicester have been a bit livelier than maybe expected today, but it’s made the match fairly interesting in these opening ten minutes, even as the away fans take control of the noise at the King Power Stadium.

Of course, as the match has stretched on some of that liveliness has settled away too. The stadium is so quiet but for the away fans that an announcement over the PA system can be heard giving Operation Anfield vibes. Leicester may be fighting, but a Liverpool goal does still feel inevitable for them as the Reds keep getting into the advantageous spaces. Unfortunately, and maybe unexpectedly, Leicester’s defense has been organized and able to unsettle Salah just enough to keep missing his shots and force midfielders like Mac Allister and Szoboszlai to try long range efforts.

It would be really great if Liverpool could find the actual goal and not the goalkeeper or the post as the first half runs out. They have had at least five corners in this half and haven’t been able to get someone on them with enough power to stun Leicester’s keeper, and their active play has left a little to be desired as every shot lacks real energy to find the net. Every effort feels a little lackadaisical, a little “let me see how it goes”, giving Mads Hermansen too much time to make the save. Leicester won’t be able to maintain this level of concentration, though, so even if this first half ends goalless (which it is looking like it will do), it’s not the end all be all.

Second Half

We’re back in action, with no changes to the players on the pitch, and Liverpool once again take control early on. The clock is well and truly ticking now as the Reds need the win to shorten the distance to the Premier League title, and Leicester need a win to stave off relegation for now. So let’s get a Liverpool goal in, please and thank you. Szoboszlai has another great effort that unfortunately hits a bounce, allowing Hermansen to palm it away and Conor Coady is there to sweep it out of danger before Cody Gakpo can follow it in.

Liverpool have had 7 shots on goal so far, contrasted to Leicester’s 0, so judging by that stat alone a goal should be incoming from the visitors – even as typing that Kostas Tsimikas shoots but is thwarted. Leicester break quickly after another failed corner, but the blue forward is left all alone against the Reds defense and he’s sent quickly out of bounds. Arne Slot makes his first change around the 60th minute, bringing on Diogo Jota for Cody Gakpo, which seems fine, and Leicester take the opportunity to bring off Jamie Vardy which is all the better for us.

Things get dicey as it looks like Leicester have scored on a corner, but it’s ruled out after Patson Daka is clearly blocking Alisson and not allowing him to properly cover his space. Liverpool are able to counter as Leicester fight to change the ref’s mind and get back into the Foxes’ final third, but Yakety Sax starts playing and we’re unable to find the net once again. Slot makes two more changes, bringing on Harvey Elliott and Trent Alexander-Arnold for Dominik Szoboszlai and Conor Bradley respectively. Finally a worthy change, just as Liverpool are gifted a free kick after Wilfred Ndidi shoulder checks Mac Allister.

FINALLY! LIVERPOOL HAVE BROKEN THROUGH AND WHO ELSE COULD IT BE BUT THE LEICESTER HATER HIMSELF, TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD! SHIRTS OFF, FLAG SMASHING CELEBRATION! Chaos from another corner sees the post hit again, the ball saved, but the Scouser in our team finds the angle and rockets it in, and you know what, that’s a deserved yellow card for taking off his shirt. Bobby Dazzler would be proud. The Reds are rejuvenated and looking for an insurance goal, but going home with the one (maybe farewell) goal from Trent isn’t a bad way to end the day.

7 minutes are added to the second half, but both teams seemed to have resigned themselves to their roles, so Liverpool are more likely to see this one out. Curtis Jones comes on for Luis Diaz, and that might be it for the Reds.

Final Thoughts

Liverpool did the thing, thanks to a fresh legged Trent, and send Leicester City back to the Championship next season. The magic number is now three, unless Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening (another unlikely event), and so the title might be clinched at Anfield, finally. Finally.