Liverpool 3-1 Leicester PLAYER RATINGS: Which bulldog-like star made things happen on the ball? Who was too lax for the Foxes’ opener? And who needs one to go in off his BACKSIDE to end his rotten form?

Liverpool survived a very early scare on Boxing Day to put Leicester aside with a 3-1 win at Anfield.

After Jordan Ayew threatened a stunning result with a shock opener in just six minutes, the hosts fought back to restore parity, eventually doing so on the eve of half-time through Cody Gakpo.

Within four minutes of the second half, Curtis Jones had given the Reds the lead for the first time in the match, with a quick VAR check confirming the decision on the pitch.

With only one goal in the match, the result could never really be assured, or at least not until Mohamed Salah made it 3-1 just eight minutes from time.

With Chelsea losing to Fulham and Arsenal still having to play on Friday, it was a result that put the Reds seven points ahead of the Blues.

Here, Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE runs through the performances at Anfield on Boxing Day as Liverpool consolidated their position at the top of the table.

LIVERPOOL – 4-3-3:

Alisson – 6

Could barely see him from the media seats, such was the heavy fog at Anfield. Couldn’t do much about Leicester’s opener – and that was their only shot on target.

Trent Alexander Arnold -6.5

Too lax on Stephy Mavididi for the Leicester goal, but otherwise a decent performance, directing play from deep. Some crosses went astray, but he kept plugging away.

Joe Gomes – 7 (booked)

He made some big, banging tackles and kept a decent run in the side, although he and Van Dijk will want to get back to their vicious run of clean sheets after four without one.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

He was unlucky to have the ball deflected off his heel before the goal, but put in an impressive performance afterwards, leaving Leicester’s attackers with nothing to gain confidence from.

Andy Robertson – 6.5 (booked)

Went off the ball for Jordan Ayew’s goal and wasn’t strong enough. However, have a decent attacking team, always an option on the left. Too bad a header hit the post.

Ryan Gravenberch -6.5

You often don’t notice Gravenberch, but he does so much for the team: he is constantly running and available for passes.

Alexis MacAllister -7.5

A fantastic performance from Liverpool’s magical Argentinian, a bulldog-like figure in midfield who makes things happen off the ball, including two assists – the second a beautiful pass to Jones.

Curtis Jones -7.5

Marked his 100th league appearance for Liverpool with a goal, appearing in the right place at the right time with a late run into the penalty area and a fine finish.

Mohammed Salah -7.5

It felt like he wouldn’t get his usual goal or assist – even though it was a good night for him – but he finally found the breakthrough on 82 minutes when he curled one into the far corner from the right side of the penalty area. A distinctive finish

Cody Gakpo – 8 (MOTM)

Liverpool were under-par in the first half, but Gakpo seemed to be the one who wanted to make things happen and he did just that on the stroke of half-time with a beautiful, curling finish. Deserved a second, but was offside – and also saw a header go just wide.

Darwin Nunez -5.5

He needs one to go in from the back, having scored just two goals all season in the league. But Nunez is often the victim of bad luck and that was the case here again.

substitutes:

Dominik Szoboszlai (for Jones, 77min) (booked)

Diogo Jota (for Nunez, 77)

Wataru Endo (for Gravenberch, 86)

Kostas Tsimikas (for Robertson, 86)

Harvey Elliott (for Mac Allister, 90+1)

Subs not used: Kelleher, Quansah, Diaz, Elliott, Chiesa.

LEICESTER (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk 6; Justin 7, Coady 6.5 (Okoli 90+5), Vestergaard 6, Kristiansen 6.5; Winks 5 (Skipp 65, 5), Soumare 6; Ayew 7, El Khannous 6 (Buonanotte 65, 5), Mavididi 6.5 (De Cordova-Reid 87); Daka 5.

Subs not used: Iversen, Alves, Choudhury, Edouard, Thomas.

Referee: Darren Bond