Liverpool have moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Leicester City at Anfield on Boxing Day.
Arne Slot's side watched on as their closest challengers Chelsea suffered a late collapse to lose against Fulham earlier in the day, and the league leaders took full advantage to further strengthen their position at the top.
Another shock looked like it could be on the cards at the end of a day full of unexpected results, with Jordan Ayew giving the visitors, who dropped into the relegation zone just before kickoff, an early 1-0 lead.
However, Cody Gakpo sent the Reds into the break level with a fine equaliser just before half time, and Curtis Jones then marked his 100th Premier League appearance by putting the hosts ahead early in the first half.
Mohamed Salah then continued his incredible form this season to wrap up the result for Liverpool with his 100th home goal in the division, becoming only the eighth player - and the fourth-fastest - to reach that landmark in Premier League history.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
After a Boxing Day full of shocks, Leicester gave themselves a reason to believe that there would be another when they took the lead within six minutes at Anfield.
However, Leicester's last shot of the game arrived four minutes after that early goal, and aside from Ayew's well-taken strike, it was all Liverpool.
Even after falling behind, it felt inevitable that the hosts would get themselves back into it, and the two quickfire goals either side of half time gave the scoreline a much more accurate reflection.
Ask Liverpool fans what would make for a perfect Boxing Day and they would probably have said a win plus dropped points for Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Everton.
All of those happened, and with the lead at the top of the table now at seven points, 2025 is shaping up to be a very happy one for the Reds.
LIVERPOOL VS. LEICESTER HIGHLIGHTS
Jordan Ayew goal vs. Liverpool (6th min, Liverpool 0-1 Leicester)
FOX IN THE BOX!
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
Jordan Ayew's 50th goal in English club football has @LCFC LEADING at Anfield! 😮#PLonPrime #LIVLEI pic.twitter.com/sW9DpE5yRu
Leicester have a shock early lead at Anfield!
Stephy Mavididi plays a low pass into the box from the left which Jordan Ayew collects, but he still has a lot to do with his back to goal.
However, the striker pivots quickly and fires a low strike into the bottom corner, stunning Anfield into silence and giving the visitors the advantage within 10 minutes.
Cody Gakpo goal vs. Leicester (45+2 min, Liverpool 1-1 Leicester)
Cody Gakpo, that is BEAUTIFUL! 🤤💫#PLonPrime #LIVLEI pic.twitter.com/jr29PQVwiR
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
What a goal to get Liverpool back level!
With what is fast becoming a trademark finish, Gakpo picks the ball up on the left flank and cuts inside before curling a beauty of a finish into the far corner. It had been coming, but Liverpool really needed that!
Curtis Jones goal vs. Leicester (49th min, Liverpool 2-1 Leicester)
For the first time in the game, @LFC are ahead!
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
The league leaders are in front thanks to Curtis Jones' first-time effort 🔴🙌#PLonPrime #LIVLEI pic.twitter.com/HE5C8FDvVK
Liverpool start the second half just as they finished the first!
Some lovely football in and around the right-hand side of the area eventually leads to Alexis Mac Allister playing a low pass into the box, where Jones is on hand to convert with a first-time finish, capping off a delightful team goal.
VAR checks a pass to Mohamed Salah earlier in the move, but he is onside and the goal stands - a perfect way for Jones to mark his 100th Premier League appearance.
Mohamed Salah goal vs. Leicester (83rd min, Liverpool 3-1 Leicester)
The Premier League's top scorer does it again!
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
MO SALAH 🎯👑#PLonPrime #LIVLEI pic.twitter.com/3lSKugO7Qg
Some way to cap off the win for Liverpool as Mo Salah weighs in with his customary Boxing Day goal - although it's been customary pretty much every day this season.
The Egyptian King cuts inside from the right and dips this way and that before steering a pinpoint finish into the far corner. The angle was against him, and he had a number of blue shirts to thread it through, but he picked out the corner perfectly.
MAN OF THE MATCH - CODY GAKPO
© Imago
Liverpool had a few players who could have been worthy recipients of this award, but Cody Gakpo provided arguably the most important contributions of the night for the hosts.
The Dutchman's goal was brilliantly taken, and he was only denied a second by a very tight VAR offside call that took more than three minutes to confirm.
Add to that an assist and an all-around performance full of intent and quality, and Gakpo once again proved that he is more than worthy of starting regular Premier League games for Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL VS. LEICESTER MATCH STATS
Possession: Liverpool 68%-32% Leicester
Shots: Liverpool 13-3 Leicester
Shots on target: Liverpool 7-1 Leicester
Corners: Liverpool 14-1 Leicester
Fouls: Liverpool 17-5 Leicester
BEST STATS
100 - Mohamed Salah has become the eighth player to score 100 home goals in the Premier League (98 at Anfield, 2 at Stamford Bridge). Landmark. #LIVLEI pic.twitter.com/UOvHcnkRVp
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2024
Mo Salah has now either scored or assisted in his last ten Premier League games 😳👑 pic.twitter.com/NHhjpzNGDH
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 26, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
Liverpool close out what has been a rollercoaster 2024 away to West Ham United on Friday, when they will be looking to maintain at least a six-point lead heading into the New Year.
Leicester, meanwhile, welcome a woefully out-of-form Manchester City to the King Power Stadium on the same day, when they will be hoping to pile more misery on Pep Guardiola's champions in order to climb out of the relegation zone.
Barney Corkhill
