Fourth game into the new season, Liverpool were playing their first home match of their first full campaign under their charismatic manager Jurgen Klopp. The Reds had been away from Anfield for 122 days and were back and ready to win. It was the Premier League holders Leicester City who travelled to the new-look Anfield which was buzzing following the unveiling of the amazing new main stand and Liverpool absolutely thrashed the Foxes. Jurgen Klopp totally outplayed Claudio Ranieri as Liverpool were lethal with their finishing.
Tactical setups
Liverpool
The Reds started in a 4-3-3 formation as Simon Mignolet kept his place under the bar despite summer signing Loris Karius making his way back from injury. Dejan Lovren was ruled out with a nasty knock he suffered in training as Lucas Leiva took his place at the back alongside Clyne, Matip, and Milner. Skipper Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, and Gini Wijnaldum started in a midfield trio behind the pacey attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino.
Leicester City
Ranieri fielded his side in his favoured 4-4-2 formation as Kasper Schmeichel started between the sticks behind the back four of Simpson, Huth, Morgan and Fuchs. Amartey and Drinkwater paired up in midfield with Mahrez and Albrighton on the flanks. Vardy led the attack with Okazaki alongside him.
Pure expressive football from Liverpool
If you take a look at the passing accuracies Liverpool players had against Leicester, it would surprise you that how they managed to score four goals. Apart from skipper Jordan Henderson, no one even managed to get 85% of their passes correct but as a unit, Liverpool managed to create as many as 17 chances, the highest in the Premier League on Saturday. It was pure expressive football from the Reds and the Foxes had no answer to it. When a Jurgen Klopp side is on fire, it’s impossible to keep them silent.
Liverpool won the game 4-1. / AFP / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE.
Firmino is magic, Mane is a beast and Sturridge is pure class
Daniel Sturridge, on his first Premier League start of the season, showed that what kind of difference a positive striker could do with his movement even though he does not make it to the score sheet. Firmino stole the headlines with a brace and he is the biggest example of pure precision. Liverpool fans’ beloved ‘Bobby’ is an extremely selfless player and always looks for a pass from areas anyone will be tempted to take a shot. He is not the fastest, nor the most creative either, but he is always at the right place at the right time and hardly makes a mistake. Mane, on the other hand, makes a big difference to the Liverpool team with his insane pace and has been an immediate success at Anfield.
Henderson at his best, again
This summer, there were question marks on Jordan Henderson’s capabilities and if he is deserving of the armband or not. The 26-year-old shut the mouths of his doubters with a sensational midfield display against the Premier League holders. 95.2% passing accuracy, 77 touches of the ball, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 block and 11 correct out of 13 long range passes- it was a delightful display from the Liverpool skipper. The fans missed their skipper sorely last season due to his injury troubles hindering him from doing well but Henderson looks back at his best now.
