The Reds displayed their might once again at Anfield and stretched their unbeaten run thanks to a masterclass by Diogo Jota and company.
Liverpool totally dominated and nullified Leicester City at Anfield in the last action of the weekend in the Premier League. Despite a host of injuries to Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice players (seven players out injured) they still managed to put out a performance fit for champions of England.
Klopp was happy with the result plus the display put up by his team. They were heavily doubted coming into the match but managed to collect all three points and their first clean sheet at Anfield since July when they beat Aston Villa 2-0 last season.
Andrew Robertson put in a great shift and was arguably the Man of the Match. Although, Curtis Jones, Joel Matip, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino, and Diogo Jota all could challenge the Scottish left-back for the match award for the best player over 90 minutes of football.
Jota the star of the frontline
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Talking Jota, his presence was largely felt on the pitch in the absence of Mohamed Salah. Quite frankly, the Egyptian wasn’t missed at all. The front three of Bobby, Mane and Jota was too immense for the Foxes’ defence to handle.
Mane ran riot around Wesley Fofana and partners, Firmino linked his team’s play superbly, and Jota roamed the field to perfection. The Reds’ trio were not clinical enough in front of goal but could have easily had a pair of goals each. It was a bit astonishing to see the scoreline 2-0 until the 86th minute of the game.
Diogo Jota vs. Leicester City
Minutes played – 88 Minutes
Goals scored – 1 Goal
Assists – 0 Assists
Shots at Goal – 5 Shots
Shots on Target – 3 Shots
Passes completed – 23 Passes completed
Passing accuracy – 82%
Key passes – 3 Passes
Another record for the champions tonight, this time Diego Jota is the first ever player in Liverpool history to score in his first four league games! #LIVLEI #beINPL 📺 HD11
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) November 22, 2020
Watch - https://t.co/hkoevnV6B4 pic.twitter.com/Ygwz7DvuCw
The opening goal came from a set-piece off the head of a confused Jonny Evans in the 21st minute which was followed up 10 minutes later by the Portuguese’s eighth goal of the season (across all competitions). Diogo Jota capped off a 30-pass move to add his name to the scoresheet which doubled Liverpool’s lead before the break.
The little forward put his name in the history books and Anfield folklore as he became the first player in the history of the club to score in all of his first four Anfield appearances. The money paid for the ex-Wolves man and what they are paying for him in the first season is looking a lot more like pocket change spent.
Adding to the insult, Jota enjoys a goal against Leicester. This is the third different club he has scored against them with — having scored with Porto, Wolves, and Liverpool against the Foxes.
The third and final goal came from another corner. Milner put the ball on a plate for Firmino, who was deserving of a goal in this encounter. The Reds are now joint on 20 points with Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham and sit in second place because of Spurs’ better goal difference.
Next up is a Champions League clash where they welcome Serie A side, Atalanta, to Anfield. They sit on top of Group D with eight goals scored, none conceded, and on nine points.