Liverpool, February 11 (BNA): Liverpool reduced the gap with Manchester City, the leaders of the English Premier League, to nine points, as the Diogo Jota duo achieved a 2-0 victory for Jurgen Klopp’s team against Leicester City.
After City’s 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday cemented their supremacy at the top, second-placed Liverpool needed a response, taking a first-half lead at Anfield thanks to Jota’s finish from close range.
Mohamed Salah came off the bench to a standing ovation to appear for the first time since his return from the African Nations Cup, as the Egyptian striker hit a superb shot against the post while Liverpool pressed for a second.
It didn’t look like that would come as chances continued to emerge, but Jota remained ruthless in the penalty area, netting the winning goal three minutes from time.
The victory raised Liverpool’s tally to 51 points from 23 matches, as the leaders played one game more, while Leicester’s bad season continued, as it remained in 12th place in the standings.
“I always like to get into those spaces,” Jota told BT Sport. “I was fortunate enough to be in the right place and score.
“Obviously there were three well-established me (at Liverpool before he joined) but we have more options now and that’s good for the team.”
Another attacking option is Luis Diaz, who Klopp received for the first time in the Premier League after signing for Liverpool during the January transfer window, as the Colombian showed his skills in keeping fans out of their seats early on.
Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled off a brilliant save from Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel before Andrew Robertson fired a low cross into the back post.
When Liverpool finally pushed their pressure, the goal came via a familiar source, with Jota reacting quicker to Schmeichel’s save to clear Virgil van Dijk’s header from a corner kick.
Leicester beat Liverpool in the reverse game between these two teams earlier in the season, but they never looked like they could be back in action at Anfield.
Salah’s introduction revitalized the hosts, with Schmeichel denying Liverpool’s top scorer twice before hitting the trees.
The dazzling Diaz was then dismissed by Schmeichel, before Jota counted one, pressing his 12th league goal of the season to put a stop to the match.
Liverpool, the only remaining Premier League team unbeaten at home this season, have won 11 of their last 15 league games at Anfield.