Liverpool 3-1 Leicester City: Mo Salah strikes as Arne Slott’s Reds move seven points clear of Chelsea in the Premier League

Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after an excellent win over Leicester.

Jordan Ayew’s early goal stunned the Kop and despite the lion’s share of possession as half-time approached, the Foxes looked more comfortable in defence, with Arne Slot looking as exasperated as he has been all season with the Foxes taking set-pieces.

Then, with 45 minutes on the clock, Mo Salah’s over-the-top effort hit the post, before Cody Gakpo’s effort from the other side of the penalty area found the net.

It took just four minutes after the restart to put the game beyond doubt through Curtis Jones’ close-range effort, and although it was the 82nd minute until the lead was extended through a Salah gem, the three points were not in sight never doubtful.

Liverpool now have a decent gap on Chelsea at the top with a game in hand, while the Foxes have slipped into the bottom three.

Bill Shankly to Bob Paisley is the best comparison for Arne Slot’s excellent start to taking over from Jurgen Klopp, but Arrigo Sacchi to Fabio Capello in Milan just over 30 years ago might be more appropriate. With the renewal of the Rossoneri and revolutionary Serie A tactics, Sacchi led Milan to multiple European successes and a solitary Serie A title.

Capello then led Milan to a title in 1991/92, before adding two more, as well as two doubles and a Champions League triumph in 1994. Taking over from an iconic manager, Capello’s changes were small, adding a bit of structure but they only took some of the adventure away from the team as they cruised to the Serie A title – albeit in a less powerful league than in previous years, as happened here.

As time went on Capello’s mark on the side became more pronounced and the football less pedestrian, especially after the loss of their once-in-a-generation striker Marco van Basten. Liverpool will be hoping that latest comparison doesn’t materialize but, even if it does, Slott may well be the man to continue his dominance over what looks increasingly like a title run this season.

The Dutch forward is an increasingly exciting presence in the Liverpool squad and with so much attention from the other side, he is well equipped to take advantage. Against a good opponent in James Justin, in both halves Gakpo put in dangerous balls down the left and, when given extra time, was smart enough to summarize his options and guide the key goal before the break.

Liverpool: Alisson 6; Alexander-Arnold 7, Gomez 6, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 6; Mac Allister 7, Gravenberch 7; Salah 8, Jones 7, Gakpo 9*; Núñez 6.

Subs: Szoboszlai 7, Jota 6, Tsimikas, Endo, Elliott.

Leicester: Stolarczyk 7; Justin 6, Coady 6, Vestergaard 7, Kristiansen 6; Winks 6, Soumare 6; Mavididi 6, Ayew 6, El Khannouss 5; Dhaka 5.

Subs: Buonanotte 6, Skipp 6, Decordova-Reid, Okoli.

4′ SALAH GOES CLOSE! Gakpo’s deep cross finds Salah but his effort is cleared at the back post by Stolarczyk and then the Foxes keeper does well to smother Jones and stop him from making the rebound.

6′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0-1 LEICESTER (AYEW) This was unexpected! Ayew gets past Robertson to get control of Mavididi’s low cross and then turns and twists a low shot into the corner beyond Alisson.

25′ OFF POST! Robertson heads home Alexander-Arnold’s cross and the ball hits the post before clearing the keeper and going behind.

45′ OUT OF THE SIDEWAYS! Alexander-Arnold pushes the ball out to Salah and he turns an effort wide of goal that returns and clips the crossbar – Stolarczyk could only look on and hope.

49′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (JONES) 2-1 LEICESTER Complex play inside the box as Salah slides the ball to Mac Allister on the right side of the six yard box and his low cross is met by Jones.

45+1′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (GAP) 1-1 LEICESTER Gakpo barely gets past Justin’s challenge on the edge of the area, then pauses to take stock of his options before curling an unstoppable effort just inside the far post.

49′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (JONES) 2-1 LEICESTER Complex play inside the box as Salah slides the ball to Mac Allister on the right side of the six yard box and his low cross is met by Jones.

82′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL (SALAH) 3-1 LEICESTER The King Strikes! And it was a nice goal too. He didn’t look like he had much room to work with as he turned inside Christiansen, but aimed his shot between the Foxes and Westergaard and inside the far post.

• 100 – Mo Salah has reached a century of home goals in the Premier League.
• 50 – Jordan Ayew reaches his half-century of goals in England.