The mark of true champions is to triumph over all odds when the world sees you in the depths of adversity.
Well, I would certainly agree with the word adversity for Liverpool, considering the Reds have about 6 top-flight players sitting out either through injury or the most commonly used word these days, COVID 19.
One of the best defenders in world football, Virgil van Dijk injured!
Two of the most creative defenders in English football, Trent Alexander Arnold and Joe Gomez injured! A midfielder par excellence in Thiago injured! Captain consistent of the Reds, Jordan Henderson injured!
To top the list, arguably the best forward in world football today, Mohamed Salah, also out with COVID!
Nightmarish, isn’t it for any team? Truly looking into the depths of hell? Well, not for Champions Liverpool!
With the performance they showcased yesterday of not only beating but annihilating the Foxes through an incessantly aggressive and inspirational brand of football, the Reds truly made adversity an opportunity amid an empty Anfield which experienced a game worthy of every praise.
So, lets dissect how this all came about!
#3 Liverpool showed aggression from the word go
What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger!
My sense is these words echoed in the minds of every Liverpool player as they walked with a sense of purpose on to the pitch amid some of their highly capable compatriots, out injured.
The Reds from the outset started attacking Leicester with a non-stop aggressive brand of football with two chances being created by defender Curtis Jones and the new attacking sensation Diogo Jota albeit not resulting in goals.
This did not deter the Reds and their opportunity came in the 21st minute when Leicester City defender, Jonny Evans headed the ball into his own net from Reds stand-in skipper, James Milner’s cross.
Unfortunate for the Foxes, purposeful for the Reds as they went 1 nil up.
#2 Diogo Jota’s dream run continues!
The relentless attack from the Reds continued despite being 1 to the good with more chances being created by Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino only to be denied the second.
But the Almighty was kind on the Portuguese sensation, Diogo Jota who furthered Liverpool’s lead by steering in a header from defender Andrew Robertson’s delivery across goal just before the players marched back into the tunnel at the stroke of half-time.
Jota with the latest goal also became the first player to score in his first four top-flight home matches for the Reds and truth be told it seems he is enroute to slowly but surely becoming the 4th member in the already famed trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino to make them now the fabulous 4.
As things stood at half-time, Liverpool led the game by 2 goals to nil and were looking to get plenty more come the second half.
#1 Fantastic Firmino finally scores one
The second half again belonged to Liverpool who continued with their inspirational and aggressive brand of football with two opportunities being created by Jota and Sadio Mane albeit not getting the third.
Roberto Firmino, Liverpool’s deep number 9 struck the ball twice on the cross bar in a sheer matter of luck not being on his side, but come the third time in the 86th minute he wasn’t to be denied when he headed the cross from James Milner right past the diving Leicester goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel.
It felt so good to see Bobby as he is fondly called, finally get his goal and put Liverpool three to the good in their utter destruction of the Foxes.
As the referee blew the full-time whistle, the Reds won the bout 3 nil and truth be told with the amount of chances created Liverpool could have got much more.
With this win, Liverpool join current league toppers Tottenham on 20 points amid sitting second on the table, owing to an inferior goal difference.
With the mantra of Come.Play.Conquer.Repeat in full flow, nothing less than a win would be expected against the Italian side Atlanta in the Champions League group game midweek and the Brighton fixture on the weekend.
As always, I urge all Kopites around the world to continue to show solidarity in supporting our boys and needless to say in every endeavour ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’!
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