A James Milner penalty at the death secured a dramatic, but deserved, 2-1 win for Liverpool and fans were left in admiration of the “mentality giants.”
Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
Premier League, Anfield
October 5, 2019
Goals: Mane 41′, Milner 90+5′; Maddison 80′
The Reds welcomed Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester to Anfield with the view of maintaining their 100 percent start to the season, and they did that. Just.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side dominated much of the opening half and after initially finding themselves guilty of some wayward finishing, Sadio Mane ensured Liverpool’s superiority was reflected on the scoreboard with a poised finish beyond Kasper Schmeichel.
The second 45 again saw the Reds pile on the pressure but as the minutes ticked by without a second goal the Foxes grew in confidence and capitalised through James Maddison to leave Liverpool with limited time to find a winner.
But as this side has proven time and time again they will find a way, and on this occasion, it was through a stoppage-time penalty from James Milner after Mane had been impeded in the box.
Here’s how fans reacted to the dramatic victory on Facebook, Twitter and This Is Anfield’s forums.
Milner’s ice-cold stoppage-time heroics from the spot were rightly lauded….
Goals pay Jurgen's rent. Milner does his share.
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) October 5, 2019
Milner has massive cojones, absolutely ice cold.
— Rory Greenfield (@RoryGreenfield) October 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/Kloppholic/status/1180513554216161280
“Give Milner a contract for life. His experience and calmness cant be quantified.”
– indianscouser on the forums.
https://twitter.com/stehoare/status/1180513995482107904
“Milner ice cool as ever. What a result!!”
– Premal Varsani on Facebook.
To quote Brendan Rodgers, this team has remarkable character. No where near our best but another 3 points on the board. The run continues. Balls of absolute steel from Milner with the late penalty #LFC #LIVLEI
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) October 5, 2019
While Mane’s all-round performance earned mass adulation from Reds…
Another first goal from Sadio Mane, he does it so consistently its unreal.
Such an important player for this Liverpool side, maybe the best player in our world class front 3.
— Tom Dutton (@BlackTeeTom_) October 5, 2019
Sadio Mané is something else. Has taken his game up another notch so far this season. His attacking prowess is well known but he’s defensively sound as well. Liverpool’s smiling assassin.
— Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_) October 5, 2019
Mané's goal was brilliant, but there's not another wide forward in world football who makes such a phenomenal defensive contribution as well. Some of those tackles tracking back in that first-half were superb.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) October 5, 2019
“Sadio has grapefruit-size balls to make that tackle in that spot. Amazing.”
– Neukolln on the forums.
“Sadio Mané was unfuckinbelievable today and is probably our most important player right now. Fantastic stuff.
– peter roberts on the forums.
50 – Sadio Mane has scored his 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool. He's the 10th player to reach the milestone for the club in the competition, more than any other side. Nifty. pic.twitter.com/XvpojW5a9v
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 5, 2019
Sadio Mane is the best player in the world.
— Jimmy (@EntireDesign_) October 5, 2019
Throughout the three years Sadio Mané’s been at Liverpool, he’s never been better than now. 1v1, clinical finishing, offensive movement, pressing, defensive contribution. He’s been doing it all superbly this season. 8 goals and 1 assist in 11 games is a good testament to that.
— Maxi (@MaaxiAngelo) October 5, 2019
And there was also concern for Salah & praise sent the way of Lovren after an unexpected starting appearance…
https://twitter.com/joel_archie/status/1180514454972317697
Choudhury should have got a red card for that foul on Salah. He could have easily broke his ankle.
— Disco Dave (@DaveAlliston) October 5, 2019
Really hope Salah is ok. That was an absolutely disgusting challenge that should've received more than a yellow imo.
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) October 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/ahmedIfc/status/1180510213612462081
Lovren was exceptional today. Won absolutely everything.
— Aaron Cutler (@aaron_cutler) October 5, 2019
Pleased for Dejan Lovren, he’s playing like, well, a World Cup finalist. Funny that. (I know he has to keep it up, but c’mon, give the fella credit where it’s due!) #LFC
— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) October 5, 2019
Lovren always gets plenty of shit but I thought he was immense today, never put a foot wrong, did everything right
— CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND (@RevivedDanny) October 5, 2019
I also note with interest that Lovren did very little wrong, despite all the usual cry-arsing before kick-off.
— And Could He Play (@andcouldheplay7) October 5, 2019
It could have been a much more comfortable afternoon but for fans, it was yet another example of the Reds’ mental fortitude…
Absolutely massive. European feel ending at Anfield, much more than three points. Stuff like that injects extra life into a campaign. Top of the league. #LFCdigest
— Danny Gallagher (@Danny7Gallagher) October 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/Chris78Williams/status/1180512276526387200
Poetry in motion. Get in the unbearable top of the league Reds
— Jeff Goulding (@ShanklysBoys1) October 5, 2019
Fucking mentality monsters!!! What a side.
— Green Scouser (@Green_Scouser) October 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheKopMagazine/status/1180515892788170752
If we'd drawn that match it would have been a travesty. Excellent performance today. #lfc
— Dan Kennett (@DanKennett) October 5, 2019
I'm not saying watching Liverpool puts you through the blender sometimes, but at one point during the second half I involuntarily reached to my left hip to check for a seat belt Anfield doesn't actually provide.
— Steven Scragg (@Scraggy_74) October 5, 2019
That would have been comfortable for #LFC if they'd just taken their chances but I suppose it's much more fun winning with an injury-time penalty. Anfield absolutely rocking after the final whistle – another massive win.
— David Lynch (@dmlynch) October 5, 2019
This Liverpool team simply do not give up; they do not lie down. Far superior team today, missed chances, had the sucker punch of Leicester’s equaliser, only to pick themselves up and go again. 17 straight wins now. A testament to the ‘mentality monsters’ Klopp has nurtured.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) October 5, 2019
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