Liverpool keep top-four cost to push Leicester nearer to relegation

May 16, 2023 at 9:19 PM
Liverpool keep top-four cost to push Leicester nearer to relegation
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in action with Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans on May 15, 2023.

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in motion with Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans on May 15, 2023.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Liverpool maintained their pursuit of Champions League soccer subsequent season and pushed Leicester ever nearer to the Championship as Curtis Jones scored twice in a 3-0 win on the King Power on Monday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold rounded off one other tremendous efficiency in his new hybrid function between right-back and midfield with a shocking strike as Liverpool closed to inside one level of the highest 4.

Jurgen Klopp’s males nonetheless want a late-season collapse from Newcastle or Manchester United, however a seven-game profitable streak from the Reds has upped the strain on their rivals, who each have three video games remaining to Liverpool’s two.

“It’s all we can do,” stated Klopp. “It would be a real shame if they slip and we’re not there. So we have to do our job.

“I feel we’ve got certified for European soccer which six weeks in the past wasn’t in sight.”

Seven years on from shocking the world to win the title, Leicester’s Premier League days look numbered as they remain two points from safety with two games remaining.

They face another daunting task when they travel to Newcastle next Monday in a match that could seal their fate should Everton or Leeds win over the weekend.

“It’s fairly easy, we have to win our subsequent sport,” said Leicester interim boss Dean Smith. “It will probably be robust at St James’ Park. It could be good to take the lead for as soon as.”

The Foxes’ defensive frailties were again exposed as a bright start from the hosts was quickly forgotten when Jones struck twice in three minutes just after the half-hour mark.

Luis Diaz was allowed to race onto a long ball forward from Alisson Becker before it broke for Mohamed Salah to cross for the unmarked Jones to tap in the opener at the far post.

Salah was the provider again moments later as Jones produced a magnificent touch to control and finish past the helpless Daniel Iversen.

“I assumed the second objective seemed like we had frazzled minds from the kick-off,” added Smith.

“We must have clearer minds and suppose clear below strain.”

The house crowd shortly turned on their very own facet and there have been boos when Cody Gakpo fired straight at Iversen with a wonderful likelihood to make it 3-0.

Scoring objectives has not been Leicester’s downside this season, however they even seemed blunt in assault as perception drained from Smith’s males.

Liverpool’s upturn in kind after a tough season has coincided with Alexander-Arnold’s new function as a deep-lying playmaker in midfield when in possession.

The England worldwide displayed his high quality on the ball with a luxurious strike into the highest nook 19 minutes from time after Salah tapped a free-kick into his path.

The Egyptian ought to have had his customary objective so as to add to a hat-trick of assists.

Salah was despatched clear via on objective by Gakpo, however slotted large with simply Iversen to beat to the astonishment of most contained in the stadium.

That miss may but show vital with Liverpool 4 objectives behind Newcastle on objective distinction.

But the guests bought the primary job achieved with one other three factors guaranteeing they’ll no less than play Europa League soccer subsequent season.