England, May 16 (BNA): Two goals from Curtis Jones and a superb finish from Trent Alexander-Arnold gave Liverpool a 3-0 win away at Leicester City in the Premier League on Monday, boosting their Champions League hopes as the Foxes deepen. Landing fears.
Liverpool ranks fifth in the standings table, with 65 points from 36 matches, one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United, who has a deferred match against its rival. Leicester ranks nineteenth with 30 points, two points behind Everton in 17th place, with two matches remaining.
Leicester have welcomed central defender Jonny Evans back into the starting line-up for the first time since October, but the three-time Premier League winner with Manchester United has been unable to instill the defensive discipline his side need, Reuters reports.
After a slow opener, Jones broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute with a superb first-time finish from Mohamed Salah’s cross after Leicester’s high defense line knocked him down with a long ball over the top from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
The 22-year-old midfielder put the ball into the net again three minutes later, and again it was Salah who served it up, Jones touching his turn before firing home.
The home crowd did their best to get their team back in the game and Harvey Barnes went close seven minutes into the second half, but Alisson made a superb save to clear the ball.
Then Alexander-Arnold dashed any hopes of a comeback with a brilliant third after Salah flicked a free-kick into his path in the 71st minute, firing a thunderous touch to once and for all calm the home crowd.
Salah was supposed to add the fourth goal in the 79th minute when Cody Jaco scored it, but surprisingly, Al-Masry pulled his shot away from the left post, leaving only the goalkeeper to beat it.
Liverpool have achieved their seventh successive victory in the league, but coach Jurgen Klopp is not convinced that his team can shine above them either Manchester United or Newcastle.
He told the BBC: “I don’t think it’s likely (to finish in the top four) when you see how they (Man United and Newcastle) play, they have such high quality.” “It would be a real shame if they slipped and we weren’t there. So we have to do our job.”
Leicester have picked up just two points from their last four matches.
With a trip to high-flying Newcastle United and a home game against West Ham United, time is running out for the 2016 champions to retain their Premier League status.
“We look at the results and we lost a lot of games and other teams were better, it’s that simple,” a frustrated Evans, who captained Leicester after returning to the starting line-up, told Sky Sports.
“We have two more games ahead of us and we have to put in the same effort as we showed tonight and the same commitment… but we will compete as we did tonight,” he added.
WWA