LEICESTER, England (Reuters) -Title-chasers Liverpool slipped to their second Premier League defeat of the season after substitute Ademola Lookman earned Leicester City a hard-fought 1-0 victory on Tuesday.
Liverpool dominated the primary half towards an injury-hit Leicester and appeared set to take a deserved lead once they have been awarded a Sixteenth-minute penalty, just for Egyptian Mohamed Salah to see his spot kick saved by dwelling goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
The possibilities saved coming for the guests, with Sadio Mane blazing over when he ought to have scored early within the second half.
Liverpool’s profligacy proved expensive as Lookman fired Leicester in entrance simply earlier than the hour mark, sparking scenes of euphoria on the King Power Stadium.
It was backs to the wall for Leicester after that, however they dug in to safe a win that leaves second-placed Liverpool six factors adrift of leaders Manchester City, as Foxes coach Brendan Rodgers bought one over on the facet he used to handle.
After conceding six at Manchester City on Boxing Day, Leicester’s morale-boosting win moved them as much as ninth within the standings.
Liverpool, who had a five-day break previous to their journey to the King Power after Boxing Day’s fixture towards Leeds United was postponed, appeared a lot brisker than Leicester, taking part in their second recreation in three days, and shortly took management of the match.
After bombarding a Leicester backline decimated by accidents early on, Jordan Henderson volleyed Liverpool’s first probability over, earlier than Wilfred Ndidi fouled Salah within the penalty space to offer the guests a golden alternative to interrupt the impasse.
The penalty from the Egyptian, nevertheless, was poor, too near Schmeichel, with the rebound header from Salah popping out off the crossbar. It was the Liverpool striker’s third penalty miss for the membership in all competitions.
Since the beginning of 2020, Schmeichel has saved extra penalties within the Premier League than another goalkeeper, with Tuesday’s cease his third on this interval.
Salah then pressured one other tremendous save out of Schmeichel as Liverpool continued to throw every thing at Leicester.
Mane’s miss had the Liverpool bench one another in disbelief, just for Lookman, following up his purpose towards champions Manchester City on Boxing Day, so as to add to their woes with a strong end after a swift counter.
There have been last-ditch blocks aplenty, our bodies placed on the road, however Leicester bought the job achieved, with the gamers sinking to their knees upon the ultimate whistle, having left Liverpool unable to attain for the primary time in 29 league video games.
(Reporting by Peter HallEditing by Christian Radnedge)
