Jamie Vardy fails from spot as Liverpool hold on to beat Leicester
ByTNT Sports
Updated 23/09/2017 at 19:55 GMT+1
Premier League, King Power Stadium - Leicester City 2 (Okazaki 45', Vardy 69') Liverpool 3 (Salah 15', Coutinho 23', Henderson 68')
Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Alberto Moreno of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool at The King Power Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Leicester, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Jamie Vardy saw a late penalty saved by Simon Mignolet as Liverpool held on for a 3-2 victory over Leicester City in a thrilling match at the King Power Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp's side, who have not enjoyed the strongest start to the season, stormed into a 2-0 lead as early as the 23rd minute through goals from Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho.
Shinji Okazaki and Jamie Vardy scored either side of a third for Liverpool from Jordan Henderson to keep the hosts in the match, and the England striker squandered an opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot.
Mignolet brought down Vardy to concede the penalty, but the Belgian made amends with his seventh save from a spot kick in the Premier League since he arrived at Anfield.
The crucial victory lifts Liverpool from ninth to fifth in the Premier League table, five points off leaders Manchester City and United.
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Liverpool celebrate
Image credit: Getty Images
TALKING POINT
Chaotic defending, but Liverpool get away with it: Klopp said he was sick of his side’s defending after the midweek defeat to Leicester, so you can’t imagine he is feeling any better after this shambolic performance at the back.
Cruising at 2-0, Simon Mignolet made a mess of a set-piece, culminating in Leicester finding a way back into the game. Then, at 3-2, the Belgian goalkeeper arguably should have been sent off when he bundled over Vardy to concede a penalty.
And while Mignolet saved the spot-kick and the Reds somehow held on for a much-needed three points, Klopp knows his side cannot continue to defend like this.
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Simon Mignolet of Liverpool attempts to save as Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City scores
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Leicester: Schmeichel 7, Simpson 6, Morgan 6, Maguire 6, Chilwell 7, Albrighton 7, Ndidi 7, King 6, Mahrez 5, Vardy 8, Okazaki 7. Subs: Slimani 6, Gray 7, Iheanacho 5.
Liverpool: Mignolet 5, Gomez 5, Matip 5, Lovren 6, Moreno 6, Wijnaldum 6, Henderson 7, Can 7, Salah 7, Coutinho 8, Firmino 7. Subs: Milner 5, Oxlade-Chamberlain 5, Sturridge 7.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) – Playing as part of a three-man attack, the Brazilian was back to his brilliant best. His wonderful vision and pin-point crossing was on display as he picked out Mo Salah for Liverpool’s opener, before he nonchalantly curled in his team’s second with a beautiful free-kick.
KEY MOMENTS
12’ - WHAT A MISS! A great strike from Can rattles the post, the ball comes out to Salah who is left with a simple finish but, with an empty goal to aim at, he somehow puts the ball wide! You would have put your house on him to score!
15’ - GOAL - LIVERPOOL HAVE THE BREAK THROUGH! A pinpoint cross from Coutinho picks out Salah at the back post and the forward heads in from the tightest of angles! Schmeichel should have done better, but it's still a remarkable finish.
23’ - GOAL! BRILLIANT FROM COUTINHO! Well, that's what he is capable of! The Brazilian curls his free-kick over the wall, it is dipping and curling and it ends up in the far corner as Schmeichel can't get near it. Liverpool find themselves two goals ahead.
45’+ 2 - A GREAT SAVE! Vardy gets in front of his marker at the near post to reach Mahrez's free-kick, he uses all of his neck muscles to direct head at goal and it's well parried behind by Mignolet!
45’+3 - GOAL - LEICESTER HAVE ONE BACK! Mignolet appears to be pulled back as the corner delivery is whipped in, he makes an unconvincing punch but it hits Gomez and Okazaki bundles the ball over the line. The referee awards the goal and it's game on!
68’ - GOAL - HENDERSON NETS LIVERPOOL'S THIRD! The Reds break at speed, with Sturridge racing clear, he plays Henderson in space and the captain keeps his cool to slide the ball beyond the reach of Schmeichel.
69’ - GOAL - VARDY SCORES! Leicester simply do not know when they are beaten! Mignolet can only parry Gray's half-volley into the path of Vardy who heads home from a few yards out!
71’ - PENALTY TO LEICESTER! A lovely through pass releases Vardy and Mignolet brings down the England international inside the penalty area. Anthony Taylor has no choice but to point to the spot and give the Liverpool goalkeeper a yellow card.
72’- VARDY'S SPOT-KICK IS SAVED! He sends the ball straight down the middle and Mignolet makes the save! It is a really poor penalty.
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Mohamed Salah celebrates
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
Since joining Liverpool in 2013, Simon Mignolet has saved seven of the 15 Premier League penalties he's faced; more than any other keeper.
Jordan Henderson has scored his first Liverpool goal since his strike at Chelsea last season; 372 days ago.
Shinji Okazaki has scored four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances, as many as in his previous 48.
Philippe Coutinho has scored more goals from outside the box than any other player in the Premier League since his debut.
No Liverpool player has been involved in more goals in all competitions this season than Mo Salah (six goals, one assist).
Jamie Vardy has scored six goals in his last four Premier League games against Liverpool.
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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their first goal with Roberto Firmino, Emre Can and Joe Gomez
Image credit: Reuters
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