Sadio Mané, Liverpool (Photo by Visionhaus)
A night to forget for Leicester, but Fofana impressed
The Foxes had the opportunity to move back into top spot with a win at Anfield, but their perfect record on the road in the Premier League ended in this dismal defeat. After scoring 15 goals across their six-game unbeaten streak before Sunday’s meeting, Leicester failed to even put one in the back of the net. But, there were several opportunities to do so. They were far and few between though.
Harvey Barnes had a clear-cut chance to bring the Foxes level around the mid-way mark of the first half after Wesley Fofana made a wonderful run into the final third. He linked up with the Englishmen who did a quick give and go with Vardy, who cut it back to Barnes on the volley, but he missed the target from close range. James Justin had a respectable go on net that curled just wide of the far post in the second half, while Vardy also had a couple of goal-scoring opportunities, but his poor first-touch quickly dismissed both.
Fofana once again though, was very impressive at center-back. He’s stepped in and did a tremendous job in place of Caglar Soyuncu, who is out for the foreseeable future with an abductor injury. The French youngster faced his first serious test against the Reds and used his physicality and pace to hold his own for the most part, except for a couple of small mistakes that almost led to goals. Rodgers decided to sit back and let Liverpool attack his side which ultimately resulted in a negative result, but Fofana’s overall performance was certainly respectable. They have a good one in the 19-year old.
@premierleague goal by the Reds. Silky. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/24/talking-points-liverpool-leicester/2/"https://t.co/SQXNDLRYEG">pic.twitter.com/SQXNDLRYEG
<p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/24/talking-points-liverpool-leicester/2/"https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1330608470832402433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 22, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>It couldn’t have ended in a better way either, with in-form Jota meeting Robertson’s cross prolifically with his head.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/24/talking-points-liverpool-leicester/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> One bright note for the Foxes </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-485431" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/24/talking-points-liverpool-leicester/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1287123917-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liverpool" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Sadio Mané, Liverpool (Photo by Visionhaus)</p>
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<h2>A night to forget for Leicester, but Fofana impressed</h2>
<p>The Foxes had the opportunity to move back into top spot with a win at Anfield, but their perfect record on the road in the Premier League ended in this dismal defeat. After scoring 15 goals across their six-game unbeaten streak before Sunday’s meeting, Leicester failed to even put one in the back of the net. But, there were several opportunities to do so. They were far and few between though.</p>
<p>Harvey Barnes had a clear-cut chance to bring the Foxes level around the mid-way mark of the first half after Wesley Fofana made a wonderful run into the final third. He linked up with the Englishmen who did a quick give and go with Vardy, who cut it back to Barnes on the volley, but he missed the target from close range. James Justin had a respectable go on net that curled just wide of the far post in the second half, while Vardy also had a couple of goal-scoring opportunities, but his poor first-touch quickly dismissed both.</p>
<p>Fofana once again though, was very impressive at center-back. He’s stepped in and did a tremendous job in place of Caglar Soyuncu, who is out for the foreseeable future with an abductor injury. The French youngster faced his first serious test against the Reds and used his physicality and pace to hold his own for the most part, except for a couple of small mistakes that almost led to goals. Rodgers decided to sit back and let Liverpool attack his side which ultimately resulted in a negative result, but Fofana’s overall performance was certainly respectable. They have a good one in the 19-year old.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/24/talking-points-liverpool-leicester/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Liverpool survive without Salah </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-485432" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/24/talking-points-liverpool-leicester/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1287114180-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liverpool" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Roberto Firmino of Liverpool (Photo by Jon Super – Pool/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Reds frontline were deadly, despite missing Salah</h2>
<p>Even without Salah, Liverpool’s attack is as dangerous as ever. Jota is in tremendous form having scored eight times in his first 12 appearances since making the summer switch from Wolves. The Portuguese star was too much to handle for Leicester, making numerous forceful runs from the middle of the pitch towards the opponent’s goal. When it comes to his movement in the final third, Jota is a wonderful anticipator, always finding pockets of space where his teammates can pick him out with meaningful passes.</p>
<p>Firmino may not score a lot of goals, but his link-up play is top-notch, always playing an important part of what the Reds do on the attack. He was especially brilliant in this clash, scoring the third goal with his head off a corner after finding space in front of Leicester’s Cengiz Under in the box. Firmino also hit the post twice and had another cleared off the line by a matter of inches.</p>
<p>Mane had his chances, but couldn’t find the net against the Foxes. However, the pace and ability he brings to this squad can’t be ignored, registering a total of four shots on target. Mane also played his part in the own goal that saw Jonny Evans head a corner into his own net, as the Senegalese international put the Irishmen off balance which led to him conceding one past his own keeper.</p>
<h2>The squad depth that Liverpool have is unmatched</h2>
<p>There just isn’t many clubs in England’s top flight, if any, who could dismantle a quality side like Leicester City without a number of key players. But that’s exactly what the Reds did, proving they really should be the early favorites to repeat as Premier League champions. From 19-year old Curtis Jones to 34-year old James Milner who can literally play anywhere on the pitch, Jurgen Klopp has several players at his disposal who are capable of logging meaningful minutes and making an impact.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal player ratings in scoreless draw with Leeds" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/22/arsenal-ratings-leeds-nicolas-pepe/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/24/talking-points-liverpool-leicester/2/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/22/arsenal-ratings-leeds-nicolas-pepe/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal player ratings in scoreless draw with Leeds </a> </div>
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<p>The Reds are now tied with Tottenham in first place with 20 points as they prepare to host Serie A side Atalanta mid-week in the Champions League, who they buried 5-0 on Matchday three in Italy a few weeks ago.</p>
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