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ARNE SLOT’S game plan has become unmistakably clear—even if there were moments of obscurity earlier tonight, not solely because of the fog blanketing Anfield.
The chance to claim his first Premier League title in his debut season as Liverpool’s manager is now within tantalizing reach.
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With their lead at the top now extending to seven points and a game in hand over Chelsea in second place, the title no longer feels out of reach.
Despite falling behind to Jordan Ayew’s unexpected early goal, Liverpool deftly navigated through the determined but ultimately inadequate efforts of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side.
Slot’s first season in English football is gaining traction, underscored by an impressive unbeaten run that has now reached an incredible 22 matches since his solitary loss to Nottingham Forest on September 14.
The prospect of victory comes less than half a season after he succeeded Jurgen Klopp, in a position many questioned he could adequately fill, given the substantial legacy left by the German.
All that Slot and his players need to do, while concurrently leading the Champions League table, is maintain their resolve and determination, and the title will likely be within their grasp.
However, for the umpteenth time this season, their start was shaky as Ayew netted a stunning goal to give Leicester the lead.
In quieter moments, Slot might feel anxious knowing that, despite his attempts to reinforce his defense, there is still work to be done.
Offensively, Liverpool is becoming an unstoppable force, scoring two or more goals in 13 of their last 14 matches.
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They’ve even outscored Tottenham to claim the title of the league’s top scorers.
The fog raised doubts about the match’s viability, and even ten minutes before kick-off, Anfield was engulfed in mist.
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Yet, within three minutes, Leicester was caught off guard by Liverpool’s relentless attacking pressure.
Jakub Stolarczyk, making his Premier League debut in place of Danny Ward, must have been taken aback by the pace of the game.
Ward, who received criticism from fans after Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Wolves, was not even included on the bench after coming on at halftime during the 4-0 defeat to Newcastle.
For the 24-year-old, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Hartlepool, the experience must have felt tumultuous.
Slot’s players maintained their aggressive approach, and although Salah struck the post, they persisted in their efforts to score.
However, instead of succumbing, Van Nistelrooy’s team, missing their key player Jamie Vardy due to injury, surprisingly took the lead just three minutes later.
Left-winger Stephy Mavididi successfully challenged Trent Alexander-Arnold, and once again this season, the star who’s under Real Madrid’s gaze was outdone.
Mavididi composed himself, squared it up, and Ayew executed a stunning pirouette to deliver a perfect low shot past a stunned Alisson and into the net.
Slot’s squad might have stepped onto the pitch emboldened by the excitement surrounding their title bid.
Still, if their initial venture seemed too easy, they rapidly regrouped and pressed on. Cody Gakpo faced adversity as a shot was denied, while Salah’s attempt deflected just inches over the bar.
In the 25th minute, Robertson pressed into the box to connect with Alexis Mac Allister’s lob, his header landing almost precisely where he denied his Egyptian teammate.
Eventually, Van Nistelrooy’s side could no longer rely on luck, and Gakpo’s equalizer was a moment of sheer brilliance.
Slot’s compatriot picked the ball on the left and cut inside, curling an exquisite shot that Stolarczyk could only watch as it sailed into the top left corner.
This goal came just before the first-half injury time.
Four minutes after the break, Slot’s team was celebrating once more.
Once again, their clinical attacking form cut through Leicester’s defense. Salah delivered a cross, allowing Curtis Jones to skillfully flick it over the line.
A VAR check for offside confirmed the goal, marking the midfielder’s 100th Premier League appearance—there was no questioning the quality of the finish.
Leicester still battled, and Alisson narrowly avoided mishap after an hour.
If Patson Daka had shown composure, he would have surely capitalized on another clever assist from Mavididi, but his mis-kick from twelve yards wastefully squandered the chance.
Taking the cue, Liverpool shifted into their high-energy attacking mode, and Darwin Nunez—beginning to provide relief for main striker Diogo Jota—finally broke free from his mental haze.
His strike from Salah’s cross appeared destined for the net, but Stolarczyk made a remarkable save.
Gakpo thought he had netted again, hammering a shot into the net only to see it ruled out by VAR for a very narrow offside call against Nunez.
However, a third goal was always on the cards, especially in a crucial moment that demands a decisive impact, and once more it was Salah who delivered.
He collected the ball, surged forward in his signature quick style, and when Van Nistelrooy’s defense believed they had neutralized the threat, he cleverly used Victor Kristiansen as a cover, darting inside to unleash another exquisite shot that soared past the goalkeeper.
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