Liverpool secured their position at the top of the Premier League with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Leicester City on Boxing Day, overcoming an early scare at Anfield. The win allowed Liverpool to extend their lead to seven points, putting them well clear of second-placed Chelsea, who were defeated earlier on the same day.
The match began with Leicester City shocking the home crowd when Jordan Ayew put them ahead just six minutes in. Ayew seized on defensive lapses from Liverpool, spinning past the defense and placing his shot past goalkeeper Alisson Becker. It was the kind of unexpected start Liverpool didn't want, but they quickly regrouped and began turning their dominance of possession and territory to their advantage.
After coming close several times, Liverpool finally broke the deadlock, with Cody Gakpo scoring a stunning equalizer just before halftime. Gakpo's strike from the edge of the area curled beautifully past the Leicester keeper, marking his 10th goal of the season and providing the Reds with the momentum they needed.
Only four minutes after the break, Liverpool surged to the front as Curtis Jones celebrated his 100th top-flight appearance by turning home Alexis Mac Allister's cutback. This goal followed extensive pressure from Liverpool, showcasing their ability to capitalize on the spaces left by Leicester's defense.
Despite initially being ruled out, Mohamed Salah's efforts proved unstoppable when he added the final nail to Leicester’s coffin late in the match. Salah netted his 19th goal of the season, curling his shot beautifully to seal the 3-1 victory for Liverpool. This goal marked his 100th Premier League goal at Anfield, living up to the high expectations placed on the star forward.
After the match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised his team's resilience, particularly noting the importance of recovering from going down early. "Because we went 1-0 down it was a game before we made it 3-1 and then I think you saw how good we really are," Slot stated, highlighting the team's character and determination.
This win puts Liverpool's record at 11 victories from their last 13 matches across competitions, demonstrating their exceptional form since Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp during the off-season. Holding the leadership position, Liverpool remains poised to challenge for multiple titles, including the League Cup and Champions League, as they move forward.
Leicester City, now sitting third from the bottom of the table, suffered their third consecutive defeat, leaving them just one point above the relegation zone. Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy's team is finding it difficult to gather momentum and will need to regroup quickly to avoid slipping under the pressure.
With Liverpool's upcoming match against West Ham on the horizon, they look to maintain their unstoppable momentum as they end the year on high notes.
