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Diogo Jota maintained his scoring record in each of his league appearances at home with Liverpool, as they finished Leicester’s 100% away record with a 3-0 win.
Jota scored the second goal after an own goal by Jonny Evans gave Liverpool the lead in the first half. Roberto Firmino added a third later to make 64 straight Premier League games at Anfield undefeated, a new club record in the top flight.
There was much talk in the preparation about who would play Liverpool’s central defender, and Jurgen Klopp might have to turn to a younger player like Nat Phillips.
However, the Reds boss was able to use senior players Joel Matip and Fabinho together as a pair to combat Jamie Vardy and company.
However, most of the initial action was at the other end of the field. First, Curtis Jones forced a save by Kasper Schmeichel from a tight angle.
A few minutes later, Firmino set up Jota, who fired the ball towards the goal to continue his scoring streak at Anfield. However, Schmeichel saved once more.
There was nothing Schmeichel could do to prevent Leicester from falling behind in the 22nd minute. As he entered a corner from the right, Evans tried to prevent Sadio Mane from reaching, but the ball went off the back of the Leicester defender’s head and entered the net as an own goal.
Absolute surprise … 😬
Jonny Evans nods his head on the wrong side and Liverpool lead
📺 See in Sky Sports PL
📱 Follow #LIVLEI here: https://t.co/agNklmctLi
📲 Download the @SkySports application! pic.twitter.com/IYuTerFzbf– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 22, 2020
Liverpool almost doubled their lead instantly when Jota and Firmino placed the ball between them. However, they hampered Schmeichel in the process, making it a free kick for the Leicester goalkeeper.
At the other end, Leicester should have matched. Harvey Barnes played a one-two with Vardy on his left, but his shot lacked composure and went wide.
As the break approached, Liverpool doubled their lead. Andy Robertson found himself in acres of space left, before beating Marc Albrighton and sending a cross.
Jota was there to return home, with an impressive record in the process. The Portuguese forward has become the first player to score in each of his first four league appearances at Anfield with Liverpool.
In addition to an individual record for Jota, the goal also set a team record for Liverpool. The 30 passes in preparation were the most they have made for a Premier League goal since Opta began collecting data in 2006. All outfield players touched the ball.
30 – Diogo Jota’s goal for Liverpool came after a sequence of 30 passes; Since Opta has this data available from 2006-07, this is the maximum in the accumulation of @premierleague goal of the Reds. Silky. pic.twitter.com/SQXNDLRYEG
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 22, 2020
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Firmino overcomes bad luck in the second part
The champions had to make a change early in the second half when Naby Keita took a hit. Neco Williams came in as a right-back, allowing James Milner to move into midfield.
Milner instantly slammed from his forward position, launching a pass through Sadio Mane. Schmeichel rebuffed the winger’s later effort, before Christian Fuchs avoided the danger caused by Jota trying to reach the end of a rebound.
Jota then became a supplier by setting up Firmino for a double chance. However, the Brazilian headed against the post.
At the other end, another Brazilian made a vital intervention for Liverpool. Vardy got behind defense after a free throw, although he appeared to be in an offside position, only for Alisson to cleverly thwart him.
While Liverpool have been in great shape recently, one man who has been struggling, not wanting to try, is Roberto Firmino. The forward’s luck was best summed up in another double chance with 15 minutes to go.
He somehow hit the post after going one-on-one with Schmeichel, before his rebounding hit was cleared off the line just an inch before he had entered.
Roberto Firmino will not come closer to scoring … ⚽️
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 22, 2020
However, Firmino got his goal in the last five minutes. He headed a Milner corner to the other side of the net, drawing huge smiles from him and his teammates.
It turned out to be the ultimate goal of the game, securing Liverpool’s new record. They also kept a clean sheet at the other end, which was a fitting way to score their first game since the passing of Ray Clemence.
Liverpool Overtake Leicester on the table as a result, moving joint top with Tottenham.
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