Trent Alexander-Arnold became the fourth-youngest Liverpool player to reach 150 top-flight appearances for the club on Thursday, while Diogo Jota made it 30 from 60.
Jurgen Klopp‘s Reds were again back at Anfield and the result was the same, with a 2-0 victory over Leicester ensuring a flicker of hope for a title race remained.
Jota was the man of the moment once more, with his nous to be in the right place at the right time twice seeing him find the back of the net to take his season’s tally to 17.
It keeps Liverpool within nine points of Man City with a game in hand and it’s all the Reds can do at this stage, keep the pressure on.
There were a number of positives to emerge from the night and here are x key stats from the latest win.
You forget how young Trent is!
The right-back has been a regular member of Klopp’s side since 2017/18 and has grown year on year to a degree where you can forget that he is still only a 23-year-old.
And on Thursday, Alexander-Arnold marked his 150th league appearance for Liverpool – more than five years after his Premier League bow.
In reaching the milestone, he became the club’s fourth-youngest player to hit 150 top-flight appearances in history, ahead of Steven Gerrard, Tommy Smith and Phil Thompson – according to Opta’s Michael Reid.
Youngest players to 150 top-flight league apps for #LFC:
Michael Owen – 22y 134d
Robbie Fowler – 22y 248d
Emlyn Hughes – 23y 106d
?Trent Alexander-Arnold – 23y 126d?
Tommy Smith – 23y 137d
Steven Gerrard – 23y 190d
Phil Thompson – 23y 211d#LIVLEI— Michael Reid (@michael_reid11) February 10, 2022
Only Michael Owen (22 years, 134 days), Robbie Fowler (22 years, 248 days) and Emlyn Hughes (23 years, 106 days) hit the figure at a slightly earlier date than Alexander-Arnold (23 years, 126 days).
It’s been a mesmerising journey, laying on 43 league assists in that time – a return that already has him placed 62nd in the Premier League‘s all-time charts.
‘Ohh, his name is Diogo!’
He is Liverpool’s man in form, with five goals in his last four appearances to take his tally to 17 with more than three months left in the season.
In the bigger picture, his return for the club now stands at 30 in just 60 appearances, seeing him join an illustrious list of goalscorers to do similar.
Diogo Jota with 30 goals in 60 apps for #LFC. Last 9 players to score 30+ in their first 60 for the club:
Diogo Jota
Mo Salah
Daniel Sturridge
Fernando Torres
Michael Owen
Robbie Fowler
John Aldridge
Ian Rush
Kenny DalglishIt's some list. #LIVLEI
— Michael Reid (@michael_reid11) February 10, 2022
According to Opta’s Michael Reid, the last eight to accomplish the feat are Mohamed Salah, Daniel Sturridge, Fernando Torres, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, John Aldridge, Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish.
Not bad company to keep!
But they all cannot attest to also proving a good luck charm, as, according to OptaJoe, in the games that Jota has scored, Liverpool have never gone on to lose (W25, D5).
30 – The most games scored in without losing in Premier League history:
54 James Milner (W43 D11)
46 Darius Vassell (W36 D10)
44 Gabriel Jesus (W42 D2)
32 Salomon Kalou (W29 D3)
30 Diogo Jota (W25 D5)Charmers. pic.twitter.com/om8gub0Rqj
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 10, 2022
So the recipe for success is simple, right? Get him on the scoresheet in every game!
And a word for Fabinho
Liverpool were rarely troubled by Leicester with Alisson almost having a night off because of it, but it was largely due to the work of Fabinho further up the pitch.
The Brazilian, on return after missing Cardiff’s visit, was at his Inspector Gadget best, pickpocketing the Foxes seemingly at every turn.
And, in fact, according to Squawka, he made seven interceptions against Brendan Rodgers’ side – the most of any player in a top-flight game this season.
Fabinho made seven interceptions against Leicester, the most by a player in a Premier League game this season.
Shields the defence so well. ? pic.twitter.com/mvSQMYEGus
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 10, 2022
He’s not called the ‘lighthouse’ for no reason!
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