Liverpool: Reds wait on Origi

Jurgen Klopp has won just three of his first nine Premier League games in charge of Liverpool; the same tally that Brendan Rodgers managed in eight PL games as the Reds manager this season.

The Belgian forward had to come on in the first half as his compatriot Origi pulled out with an injury.

What they do have is a clever manager who is learning the rhythms of the Premier League and, with no European distractions midweek, has the time to work with his players. Morale boosting wins over Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton had over excited pundits and supporters alike talking about them having a tilt at the title, but that was snuffed out rather quick when losses to Newcastle United and newly promoted Watford FC bookended a last gasp draw with West Bromwich Albion.

The Reds bossed the game long and well enough to earn full rewards.

Their hopes will also require a wobble from either Tottenham, or Leicester, but a five point gap to fourth position can not be viewed as insurmountable.

As expected, Liverpool enjoyed healthy advantages in possession and territory at Anfield.

Leicester were not quite at it here, not quite as potent on the counter attack as usual and suffered only their second defeat of the season as a result. Leicester looked to take advantage of this, and Mahrez forced Mignolet into a good save before the half was out. Emre Can would push Kasper Schmeichel into a full-extension save soon after.

Leicester City found its footing as the half neared its end.

Ranieri withdrew star men Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez on Merseyside, with one eye on the City game.

Fuchs caused more nervousness in the Liverpool defence with 10 minutes to go.

“He did really well in the last week in training, but I decided this starting line-up because of the things you saw from Divock”, Klopp explained. The move turned out be decisive.

They managed to resist everything Liverpool threw at them until the 63rd minute, when Benteke slipped what proved to be the victor past Schmeichel.

Dejan Lovren was delighted with Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Leicester City on Boxing Day, and feels it was a great all-round team effort. Liverpool seemed to be cruising to victory at the break as they led 2-0 through two Steven Gerrard penalties, but they eventually had to settle for a point as David Nugent’s excellent volley and a powerful shot from Jeffrey Schlupp pegged them back. But Dean Lovren is back from his knee injury, as well as Simon Mignolet, who was suffering from a hamstring injury.