On Boxing Day, Liverpool staged a stunning comeback to secure a 3-1 victory over Leicester City at Anfield, solidifying their lead at the top of the Premier League. Despite being taken aback by Jordan Ayew’s early goal, Liverpool responded decisively with goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Mohamed Salah. The match capped off another exciting chapter for Liverpool fans and left Leicester languishing near the bottom of the table.
Jordan Ayew of Leicester City struck first, netting his fourth goal of the season just six minutes in. After receiving a well-placed cross from Stephy Mavididi, Ayew maneuvered around Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson with remarkable skill before firing the ball past Alisson Becker. The goal stunned the home crowd, giving the Foxes a surprising early advantage amid their relegation concerns.
Despite the initial shock, Liverpool quickly asserted themselves. The Reds dominated possession and continued to press forward, eventually leading to Gakpo’s equalizer right before halftime. He unleashed a stunning shot from the edge of the box, bending the ball beautifully around Leicester's defense and past rookie goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, bringing the score to 1-1.
The second half saw Liverpool increase their intensity. Just three minutes after the break, Curtis Jones put the hosts ahead, converting Alexis Mac Allister’s precise cross with deft placement. Liverpool’s attack continued to threaten the Leicester goal, whereas the Foxes struggled to maintain composure under pressure.
Leicester had their chances to level the score again; unfortunately for them, Patson Daka missed an opportunity to score after he mis-kicked following another Mavididi assist. Liverpool seized the moment, and Salah scored his monumental 100th Premier League goal at Anfield, sealing the victory at 3-1. Salah showcased his exceptional talent, evading defenders and expertly placing his shot past Stolarczyk.
With this win, Liverpool has now risen to 42 points, converting their grip at the top of the league to seven points clear of Chelsea, who currently sit second. For Leicester, this match serves as another stark reminder of their precarious position, as they fall to 18th place with just 12 points. Upcoming challenges against formidable opponents like Manchester City loom large for them.
Jordan Ayew’s opening goal, marking his fifth of the season, provided fleeting joy for Leicester, but it failed to shift the narrative of Liverpool’s clinical dominance and the impressive tenure of manager Arne Slot. Since taking over, Slot has propelled Liverpool to maintain consistent high performance, with this match exemplifying their attacking prowess.
Salah’s goal not only highlighted his importance to the team but also etched his name alongside Premier League legends who reached the 100-goal milestone at home. His clinical ability, coupled with Liverpool's overall offensive strategy, poses serious threats to rivals going forward, especially as the season progresses and title aspirations intensify.
Leicester's hope of avoiding relegation feels increasingly fragile as they struggle for points, deeming their upcoming fixture against Manchester City critically important. The consequence of this Boxing Day loss serves not only as motivation for recovery but as a continued challenge against their disappointing form this season.
Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Liverpool can maintain their momentum going forward, as both the Premier League title and their Champions League aspirations rest heavily on their performance consistency.
