Liverpool beat Leicester to go seven points clear at top of Premier League
Gakpo, Jones & Salah score as Reds come from behind to win
Haaland says 'life not easy' as Man City held by Everton - read more
Silva's 'rehabilitation complete' after Fulham stun Chelsea - read more
Nottm Forest must 'enjoy moment' after beating Tottenham - read more
Image source, Getty ImagesThat's it for us on what has been a long, long, LONG but epic day of Premier League action.
We'll be back again tomorrow with two games:
Brighton v Brentford (19:30)
Arsenal v Ipswich (20:15)
Goodbye!
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
John Arne Riise
Former Liverpool defender on Amazon Prime
The only team at the moment who looks on a steady course is Liverpool.
It takes one or two games and you lose your confidence.
Football changes so quickly.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Quite happy in general. During the whole game we played the way we wanted.
The only thing we didn’t want was to go down one nil after 10 minutes. First time they threatened it was immediately a goal. Sloppy defending. That’s why it was a hard game until we scored the third one.
On the importance of levelling before the break: "It definitely was. During the first 45 minutes we were many times around their box and created enough to score a goal but if you don’t do it, you don’t know what the end result will be. That immediately lifted us.
“The first and third goals were quite similar and these players have the quality to dominate these situations and have a great finish as well. I liked the second as well, more of a team goal and Curtis Jones arriving in the box doing something that in my opinion he has to do a lot more. As a midfielder at Liverpool you have to score goals and that is what he did today.”
On topping the league table: “Of course we look at the table but we also know how hard this league is. Two months ago we were one point behind Manchester City. What this league can do if you get injuries and suspensions...This can happen to any team. We have to stay on top of our game.
On festive fixtures: "It does not feel like it is Christmas at all. Normally you go on holiday but I think there will be many people in Holland watching it and liking it like I did before."
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after making his Premier League bow: "It was a dream come true. Something you always work for and you imagine this moment. For it to finally happen is such a proud moment for me and my family. To do it also at Anfield, I am nothing but proud.
"I was told this morning and a bit of excitement but I felt ready and just wanted to show what I could do.
"Conor is a great character and a very good leader. He always talks to you and gives you courage. I was pleased to make my debut with someone like him it made it easier."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, speaking to Amazon Prime: "We know when you come here you want the start that we wanted.
"We knew we had to be compact and defend well. Which we did and we had a couple of breaks. We were in the game for a long time and at 2-1 we had the Daka chance - these are moments.
"In these games you have got to take them.
"When you are 1-0 up and we had a break with Stephy Mavididi on the break which led to a goal kick.
"A quick take from Allison and they combined into Gakpo. Him coming onto his right foot can be dangerous."
On Jakub Stolarczyk debut: "Well done for Jakub coming in. He come back from a long injury, he recently played in the under-21s and he had a great game."
On three defeats in a row: "It is up to us to keep developing and creating gameplans for every opponent.
"The gameplan was there, players knew what to do and acted too it, but today was the maximum possible.
"Anfield is not the place where we usually collect the points, but for our development we have to do it as the points need to be collected."
On January window: "It is a great possibility to look at. It's a tool to look at as a club.
"It's a good option."
On Liverpool being title favourites: "You never know in the Premier League and many things have happened before, but looking at this team and how stable they are and the depth of their squad they have a great chance."
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Emile Heskey
Former Leicester and Liverpool striker on Amazon Prime
On Leicester's mentality after scoring first....
As a mentality you kind of sit back and invite the team on hoping you can get to half-time, but it never happened.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Image source, Getty ImagesLeicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Definitely [some positives]. Good performance. We knew coming to Anfield against this Liverpool, the game plan had to be right, had to be clear and the players executed it excellently. We had a great start, go one nil up it was a shame we could not get into half time with the lead.
“And straight after as well conceding the second but we stayed in the game. We knew we would create something which came with the Patson Daka chance on the break but you have to take these chances if you want something out of the game but all credit to the players and our goalkeeper who had an excellent game.
“He made an excellent debut and helped us stay in the game that long. I had a very good conversation with Wardy and it is not easy what happened and if the disappointment goes to one person it gets difficult.
“We had to look at Jamie (Vardy). He played through injuries and knocks and it was the best thing today to let him recover and see if we can get him fit for Sunday.
On getting out of relegation trouble: “We believe we can but it will take a lot of hard work, improvement, training, staying together and performing and collecting points. The foundation is the work ethic of the team and spirit and we showed that over the last weeks and I think at the end of the road we can be where we want to be.”
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Fergie always used to say, 'If you can get to the New Year and are top, then you've got a great chance of winning it'. Who would want to disagree with him?
Rolay, Keighley
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to Amazon Prime: "Sounds weird, but we had a really good start.
"But then one moment where we underestimated the situation that led to a chance and a goal. You have to work really hard to come back into the game, it really helped that we scored the equaliser before half-time.
"In the last few games every chance we concede they go in.
"I think there was a second chance in the second half and those were the only times they even come close. We created enough, but because we went 1-0 down it was a game.
"Then you saw how good we are and they didn't want to come back into the game.
"I liked the second goal, for me that was a team goal with the overlapping run.
"We want to bring our wingers into threatening situations.
"Deep runs are the most important thing in football. You would not always have to play the player who makes the deep run."
On being favourites for the title: "Bit of a boring answer and as a manager you go game by game - you know how many games you have to play.
"So many teams have so much quality. If this happened in the Eredivisie I would say OK that is true."
On Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk contract extensions: "We don't talk about contracts in public.
"It is not up to me to talk about those situations in public. Mo Salah had a good game, Virgil had a good game, Trent, especially in the second half was very good."
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager on Amazon Prime
Image source, Getty ImagesOn Liverpool's strength in depth...
When you look at the players who come on they're the same level as the players who started.
They're a very strong squad and it's a healthy competition with a very strong spirit.
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I keep seeing comments about Liverpool being where they are as they’ve not had injuries. We’ve had multiple injuries. The best goalkeeper in the world has been out, arguably one of the best defenders in Konate is still injured, as has one of the most clinical finishers in Jota. Speaking of clinical, quality performance from Liverpool this evening.
Sam, Bath.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager on Amazon Prime
In general I don't think theres another team in Europe playing with this confidence.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “We have still got a long, long way to go. There are plenty of games to come. We’ll take each game as it comes and try and win all the games.
“It was a hard game. They sat back and defended well. Especially for me it was hard to find space inside. It was more of a patient game and not trying to play into their plan. In the first half we were crossing the ball a load and that is what they want. In the second half we changed it round, kept it more and that’s where the goals came.
“We are a goal down it’s almost half-time but we don’t stop, we score. In the second half we start strong and score again. The thing is with us we just want to win each game."
On 100 Premier League appearances: "I came in then and normally text family and I saw a text off [Jurgen] Klopp saying 'congratulations on 100 games and here’s to 500. I was like what is he on about?' I just checked then and I am proud. It was him who set up the team we have now. The foundation was there and Arnie Slot has carried it on.
“It looks good but there are plenty of games to come. You can play a team at the bottom, middle or top and it is a hard game. It is about trying to win every single game and if we do that everybody knows what comes at the end.”
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I can’t see Liverpool being stopped at the moment. Look like such a well gelled side.
Dylan, Scottish Borders
The key is for LFC is that they have so much strength in depth. Diaz not even on pitch tonight.
Dylan, Berwick upon Tweed
Liverpool seem to have the attitude of 70s Brazil. Yes, you can score if you want, we'll just go up a gear and score more than you.
Dave, Formby
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager on Amazon Prime
On Cody Gakpo...
The fans enjoyed a player who feels important and knows he can change the game with a bit of magic.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool's Cody Gakpo, speaking to Amazon Prime: "We do practice a lot on the crosses and the shots. Practice makes perfect.
"We come from behind and we had to fight to get level, we had good chances and I got the ball from Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] and I saw some free space and did what I do in training."
On going behind: "We know the qualities we have, but it's not nice to go behind.
"We are working on that so we are not sloppy in the beginning. We started the game very good, but then had two moments where we were sloppy - we have to keep improving."
On feeling at home: "Obviously I feel at home. We have a very good team which makes me accelerate as well and it let's me show my qualities. I keep working hard to show more of that every game."
On Arne Slot's style: "Especially when we have the ball it is a bit more structured. A little less direct and we play more from possession.
"We only think about the next game.
"We cannot deny we are in a good place, but still one of the strengths of the team is we approach each game as a new one.
"That keeps us humble."
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I think I will cry if Liverpool don't get Salah to sign a new contract.
Andy
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, speaking to Amazon Prime: "It is a good result they were very tough in the first half and in the second half the way they prepared themselves they were very good.
"We managed to score three goals and it was a great result.
On Cody Gakpo's equaliser: "Great. It gives us confidence in the second half to go win the game. 1-0 down and you need to focus on equalising.
"He scored a great goal.
"It is something he practices a lot in training. It was a great finish from him."
On scoring 100 home goals in the Premier League: "Something I am very proud of. We keep working hard and hopefully I can go a bit further."
On his form: "The most important thing is the team winning - hopefully we win the Premier League.
"It is great, but we focus on each game and hopefully we carry on like that.
"It feels different, but the most important thing is we need to stay humble.
"This one is very special, hopefully we win the Premier League and for this club it is something I dream of."
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Image source, Getty ImagesMohamed Salah has been involved in 27 goals in 17 Premier League games this season (16 goals, 11 assists), just one fewer than he was in 32 appearances last term (18 goals, 10 assists).
His goal to make it 3-1 was his 100th home goal in the Premier League, making him the eighth player to reach this milestone.
Making his 250th Premier League start for Liverpool, Salah became the fourth player to register 250 Premier League goal involvements for a single side (171 goals, 79 assists), along with Wayne Rooney for Man Utd (276), Ryan Giggs for Man Utd (271) and Harry Kane for Tottenham (259).
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Leicester had four shots in the opening 10 minutes of this game (scoring with their only shot on target), but didn’t manage a single attempt for the rest of the match.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 42 |
| |
| 2 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 21 | 17 | 35 |
| |
| 3 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 19 | 5 | 34 |
| |
| 4 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 34 | 16 | 18 | 33 |
| |
| 5 | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 21 | 9 | 29 |
| |
| 6 | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 29 |
| |
| 7 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 30 | 26 | 4 | 28 |
| |
| 8 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 28 |
| |
| 9 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 26 | 29 | -3 | 28 |
| |
| 10 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 27 | 26 | 1 | 25 |
| |
| 11 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 39 | 26 | 13 | 23 |
| |
| 12 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 23 |
| |
| 13 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 30 | -7 | 23 |
| |
| 14 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 21 | 24 | -3 | 22 |
| |
| 15 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 15 | 22 | -7 | 17 |
| |
| 16 | 18 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 17 |
| |
| 17 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 29 | 40 | -11 | 15 |
| |
| 18 | 18 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 40 | -18 | 14 |
| |
| 19 | 17 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 32 | -16 | 12 |
| |
| 20 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 11 | 37 | -26 | 6 |
|
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Ruud van Nistelrooij
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Ruud van Nistelrooij
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League home games against Leicester (W10 D2), since losing three in a row between 1997 and 2000.
Leicester have won just two of their last 12 Premier League games against Liverpool (D1 L9). They’ve had three runs of three consecutive defeats in this run (including a current one), but they’ve not lost four straight league games against the Reds since between 1987 and 1996.
Liverpool have won their last seven league games played on Boxing Day, the longest current run among any side in England’s top four tiers, and the Reds’ longest ever such run.
Leicester have won just one of their last 10 Boxing Day league games (D2 L7), with that coming in 2018-19 against eventual champions Manchester City.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 21 matches in all competitions (W18 D3). It’s their longest run without defeat since a streak of 25 between April and November 2021, and their longest within a single season since a run of 24 between January and May 1989.
Liverpool have conceded eight goals in their last three Premier League games, as many as they had in their first 13 under Arne Slot. However, the Reds have scored at least twice in each of their last nine league games, their longest such run since September-December 2021 (11).
Leicester lost 4-0 against Newcastle and 3-0 against Wolves in their last two Premier League games. They last lost three consecutive league games by a margin of 3+ goals back in November 1958.
No current Premier League player has been involved in more goals (6) or provided more assists (4) on Boxing Day than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Mohamed Salah has scored 99 goals in 141 home games in the Premier League (2 for Chelsea, 97 for Liverpool). If he scores, he will become the eighth player to score 100+ on home soil in the competition, and fourth-fastest, after Alan Shearer (91 apps), Thierry Henry (113), and Sergio Agüero (125).
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has scored eight Premier League goals against Liverpool, with only Andrew Cole (11) and Harry Kane (9) netting more against the Reds in the competition. At the age of 37 years and 350 days, Vardy would also be the oldest player to score a Premier League goal against Liverpool with a goal in this game.
