Liverpool left it to late but a James Milner penalty ensured Jurgen Klopp‘s side emerged as 2-1 victors over Leicester, maintaining their 100 percent start to the season.
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Liverpool 2-1 Leicester City
Premier League, Anfield
October 5, 2019
Goals: Mane 41’, Milner 90+5′; Maddison 80’
The Reds headed into the weekend off the back of seven successive league victories to start the season and a dramatic 4-3 win over Salzburg in the Champions League, where their next challenge came against a side led by a familiar face.
Brendan Rodgers returned to Anfield for the first time since his departure in 2015, only this time occupying the opposition dugout as a Leicester manager who had thus far overseen his team collect 14 points to sit in third position in the table.
Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated territory and possession in the opening stages, providing the Foxes with a limited sight on goal as the Reds penned them in their own defensive half.
And while chances came the way of Liverpool the final touch or pass had proven to be problematic, until Sadio Mane latched onto James Milner’s delivery behind the Leicester defence to steer his effort beyond Kasper Schmeichel.
Mane’s 50th league goal in 100 appearances for the club ensured the Reds took a deserved advantage into the interval.
Liverpool wasted little time in picking up from where they left off as they resumed the second half by forcing Schmeichel into making a superb stop to deny Mohamed Salah’s instinctive strike from close range.
The onslaught in attack continued as the Reds searched for their second of the afternoon while holding firm defensively as Leicester remained without an attempt on goal with over 60 minutes on the clock.
But as Liverpool fluffed at a number of chances to double their lead, the Foxes grew in confidence and their perseverance was rewarded when James Maddison found the net late in the piece.
There was still time for some more late drama, however, as Mane was brought down in the box in stoppage time to which Milner duly converted from the spot to hand the Reds a memorable victory.
The clash was tipped as one which could prove to be a stern test for the Reds, but Klopp’s side managed to emerge unscathed to notch their 17th successive league victory and their eighth this season, simultaneously extending Anfield’s unbeaten streak to 44.
The international break now awaits Jurgen Klopp’s side where a trip to Old Trafford will be next on the agenda when the team reconvene for Premier League action on October 20.
