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LEADERS Liverpool strengthened their grip at the top of the Premier League after coming from behind to defeat struggling Leicester City and move seven points clear.
Leicester had lost five of their previous seven matches but stunned Anfield by taking the lead through Jordan Ayew’s sharp sixth-minute finish.
Liverpool endured a frustrating half as Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah hit the post and crossbar respectively before Cody Gakpo levelled right on the stroke of half-time with a lovely curling finish from the edge of the box.
That lifted the hosts who took the lead for the first time just four minutes into the second half, Curtis Jones marking his 100th Premier League appearance by turning in Alexis Mac Allister’s cross.
Leicester, who dropped into the relegation zone after Wolves’ win over Manchester United earlier in the day, missed a golden opportunity to equalise when Patson Daka mis-kicked in front of goal before Mohamed Salah made sure of the points when he swept home the third goal – his 19th of the season.
While they are one point from safety after a third straight defeat, Liverpool are in a commanding position at the top, with a game in hand on the two teams immediately below them.
With Liverpool next in action on Sunday at West Ham (17:15 GMT), they have an opportunity to open up a 10-point lead on nearest rivals Chelsea, who are not in action until the following day at Ipswich (19:45).
Liverpool were far from their fluent best in what was their final game of the calendar year at Anfield but they got the job done on the day nearest rivals Chelsea slipped up at home to Fulham.
They started 2024 with a 4-2 win over Newcastle at Anfield to leave Jurgen Klopp’s side three points clear at the top.
Their 19th and final Premier League home game of 2024 also ended in victory that leaves Arne Slot’s side in a strong position to win the league for the first time in five years.
There was a carnival atmosphere in the closing stages as fans twirled scarves and chanted ‘Liverpool, Liverpool, top of the league’ after Salah’s 16th Premier League goal of the season.
But Slot and his players know there is an awful long way to go.
Yet this is turning into an extraordinary first season in charge for Slot.
Liverpool, who are top of the Champions League table and have a two-legged semi-final against Tottenham to look forward to in the League Cup, are unbeaten in 22 matches in all competitions and continue to give themselves every chance of winning their 20th title.
Foxes in relegation zone
Leicester find themselves in the relegation zone for the first time this season after a third straight defeat, with Manchester City up next.
Yet Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side gave a better account of themselves than in the previous match against Wolves as they frustrated the leaders for large parts of the first half.
And they might have left Anfield with a hard-earned point had Daka made a better connection in front of goal.
It has been a disruptive return to the Premier League for the Foxes since winning promotion under the guidance of influential manager Enzo Maresca.
His departure to Chelsea paved the way for Steve Cooper to take charge but the former Nottingham Forest boss lasted just a dozen league games before he was dismissed.
Van Nistelrooy’s first five games in charge have yielded just four points but it will be matches against the likes of Crystal Palace on 15 January where their Premier League fate will be decided. – BBCSport
A.I
Dec. 27, 2024
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