Records tumbled at Anfield as Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Leicester set a new 64-match unbeaten home league milestone with Diogo Jota also writing his name into the club’s history books.
The Portugal international became the first Reds player to score in his first four home top-flight league appearances with a neat glancing first-half header to add to Jonny Evans’ opening own goal.
Roberto Firmino added further gloss to the scoreline, after a number of missed chances, with an 87th-minute header as Jurgen Klopp’s side – undefeated in the league at Anfield since April 2017 – eclipsed the great team of the late 1970s and early 1980s, whose own run was coincidentally ended by a Leicester team in 1981.
Milner’s versatility is an obvious asset in these ‘troubled’ times and his first act in his more advanced position was to release Mane, whose shot was parried by Schmeichel who needed Fuchs to bail him out by heading over from under the crossbar with Jota lurking.
Jota tested the keeper again and Evans headed against his own post as Liverpool should really have been out of sight before the hour mark.
Leicester failed to capitalise on the introduction of 19-year-old Neco Williams at right-back and even when Alisson Becker did make a good double save from Vardy and Barnes any goal would have been ruled out for offside.
Liverpool hit the post twice within seconds as Firmino’s shot rebounded, was cleared off the line by millimetres and Mane’s strike deflected off Schmeichel onto the upright – all after Jota’s brilliant through-ball had opened up Leicester.
Firmino’s persistence eventually paid off as Liverpool went level with Tottenham at the top of the table. Crisis? What crisis?
