Liverpool won 3-0 at Leicester City on Monday night to add further misery to the relegation-threatened hosts at the King Power Stadium.
Curtis Jones scored a rapid-fire first-half brace to put Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in control, while Trent Alexander-Arnold got the third with a stunning free-kick.
The victory continues Liverpool’s strong form at the end of a troubled season and keeps them in pursuit of the Champions League places.
Meanwhile, Dean Smith’s Foxes are one game closer to relegation from the Premier League, with just a side trip to Newcastle United and a home game with West Ham left for Leicester’s stellar effort to escape the drop.
Here, Tom Collomsse talks about some of the more unusual talking points from Leicester City 0-3 Liverpool.
Curtis Jones scored two goals in the first half as Liverpool comfortably beat Leicester City
The Foxes are looking at management options whether or not Dean Smith avoids the drop
Championship duo catch Foxes’ attention
Leicester have failed to plan properly for the post-Brendan Rodgers era and are determined not to make the same mistake twice.
If they somehow get out of the bottom three, Graham Potter will be their first choice to take the lead, although interim boss Dean Smith will have a strong case for keeping the post. Saving the Foxes from here would be a great achievement.
But Leicester know Championship football is a distinct possibility next season and have started to assess their options. Swansea boss Russell Martin’s work is admired at the King Power Stadium, while Jon Dahl Tomasson has cemented his reputation by keeping Blackburn in the promotion race for most of the season, on a tight budget.
If he wanted the job, Smith would also be a contender, having led Aston Villa to promotion in 2019.
Forgotten man Arthur comes on the couch
A glance at the bench at Liverpool reminded me of one of the most unusual transfer deals in recent times.
Arthur Melo (right), who came on as a substitute, has had his loan spell hit hard by injury
Brazilian midfielder Arthur moved to Anfield on loan from Juventus last September but has had a period to soon forget, limited to a single senior appearance – coming on as a substitute in the 4-1 thrashing at Napoli in the Champions League the week after he joined.
Injury has effectively limited Arthur’s chances at Anfield and he will return to Turin in the summer.
“Next season will be decisive in my career and I’m working very well. I look forward to showing this new version of Arthur.’
Conflicting loyalties for Maddison’s mother
There may have been some divided loyalties in James Maddison’s family here. In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport in November 2020, the Leicester midfielder revealed that his mother, Una, was a Liverpool fan. At least someone was guaranteed to be happy at the end of the game.
James Maddison’s mum Una (right) is a Liverpool fan despite her son’s outing for the Foxes
Trent gamble pays off again
At elite level, the modern day full-back isn’t really a full-back at all, as evidenced by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s average positioning during the first half.
The England man spent as much time in the field as he did patrolling the right flank, and it should have paid off when his excellent flying first ball was mischecked by Cody Gakpo, who was clear.
It was a gamble that paid off, as Jordan Henderson’s intelligent positioning, coupled with Leicester’s difficulty building attacks, meant that Alexander-Arnold was rarely exposed.
The one time he was caught out of position, Harvey Barnes was released by James Maddison, but couldn’t make it count.
Trent Alexander-Arnold spent the same amount of time in the field as right-back during the first half
Double pleasure for Jones
Curtis Jones is approaching 100 senior appearances for Liverpool and this was the first time he has scored more than once in a game. The young midfielder marked his 95th appearance in a Reds shirt with goals within four minutes of each other late in the first half.
Warning to unruly fans
Midway through the first half, a message flashed on the big screen. The field is for players, the stands are for spectators. Anyone who enters the field will face a suspension and police action.’ It was the first time the words had been displayed in this way at the King Power Stadium this season and after being confronted by a fan in Leeds two days earlier, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe felt it was timely.