How we scored the Leicester City players, as goals from Liverpool’s top players in the second half prevented Enzo Maresca from achieving the illustrious victory that Kasey McAteer’s early goal had set up.
In a second-half comeback at Anfield, Liverpool’s Premier League caliber prevented Leicester City from pulling off a Carabao Cup surprise.
When Kasey McAteer sprinted through to score in the third minute, City’s unblemished road record under Enzo Maresca had appeared like it may continue. However, three of Liverpool’s top players scored in the second half to snap their six-game winning streak on the road.
Cody Gakpo scored the first of Liverpool’s three goals just after halftime, and Dominik Szoboszlai slammed home the second following a sizable number of first-half opportunities. Even though there were brief City assaults that raised the possibility of an equalizer, Diogo Jota ultimately won the match.
Maresca’s team selection, which involved 10 changes from the City manager, revealed his priorities. Harry Souttar, a center-back who was pulled in from the cold for his first outing under Maresca, and Conor Coady, a £7.5 million summer recruit who made his debut after recuperating from a foot fracture, were two of the newcomers.
But despite those changes, City flew out of the blocks. A quick press and an even quicker counter saw Yunus Akgun fly up the pitch and feed McAteer, who coolly slotted into the bottom corner to continue his excellent scoring run.
That goal sparked Liverpool into life. They had made 10 changes too, but still had a wealth of attacking talent in their side. Diogo Jota missed a chance to score at the back post, sitting on the ball instead, and from the resulting corner, Ben Doak somehow slammed the ball against the bar from a few yards out after pinball in the box
Cody Gakpo’s free header in response to a corner must have given Liverpool the impression they had scored. But Coady, who was on alert, raced back to the goal line and managed to deflect the ball over the crossbar.
After that barrage of opportunities, City settled in against Liverpool, and there wasn’t much goalmouth action in the last 20 minutes of the first quarter. Gakpo spun inside the area and fired into the bottom corner to tie the score for the hosts three minutes into the second half.
Liverpool continued to press, and once more City required the crossbar and a goal-line clearing. Gakpo’s header looped over Stolarczyk and struck the woodwork before Marc Albrighton and Ricardo Pereira combined to clear.
The second, though, was not far distant. Both teams used substitutes, and Szoboszlai of Liverpool scored the winning goal by slamming a shot off the crossbar from 20 yards out.
Other than an Abdul Fatawu penalty appeal and a Wilfred Ndidi breakaway that should have ended in a shot, City didn’t pose a danger in the quest for an equalizer. As the clock ran out, Jota backheeled in to win the game. Here is how the players were rated by us.
Jakub Stolarczyk: He came dangerously close to being caught on the ball a few times in the first half, but otherwise he was steady with his hands to get halfway to a fourth clean sheet from four. later in the half,
Ricardo Pereira: He was adept at dribbling in, but after receiving an early caution, he pushed his luck a bit, leading to more fouls. He was among City’s finest ball players. 6
Harry Souttar: City had to play a lot of defense in this game, and Souttar’s ability to defend his own goal is undeniable. He had a shaky beginning, but he was decent after that, displaying power and superb posture to win fights and make blocks. His demise was also acceptable. 7
Conor Coady: One of a select few players who consistently gave the ball away, Coady appeared a touch rusty, which was maybe to be anticipated following a prolonged absence. He played two outstanding goal-line clearances in defense, including one.
