LIVERPOOL RETURN TO Anfield for their first league outing of the season on home soil in this evening’s late Premier League kick-off.
The Merseysiders have spent €135.9m on increasing the capacity of their ground by 8,500 to over 54,000, and played their opening three matches away in order to complete the project.
Current champions Leicester City will be hosted by the Reds here and the game kicks off in about 40 minutes.
Here are the teams, and the big news is that Daniel Sturridge starts for Liverpool.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lucas, Milner, Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Sturridge, Firmino.
Leicester City: Schmeichel, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy.
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren misses out this evening, after picking up a black eye in training. He posted this picture to Instagram.
Looks nasty…
We’re about to begin. So, how are you calling this one?
Poll Results:
The teams are out shaking hands and we’re just about ready to go. Liverpool are in their traditional all red kit, while the Foxes are wearing their blue home strip.
KICK-OFF – Here we go. Leicester win a corner inside the first minute and Mahrez’s delivery is headed clear.
The new main stand at Anfield means there’s a new camera angle for those watching on TV.
Queue angry people venting their frustrations on social media.
Leicester captain Morgan has to make a last-ditch challenge to prevent the loitering Sturridge from a great chance.
It opens up in front of Firmino and he has a strike at goal, but it’s a tame one. Mane had made a great run and it may have been the better option to play in the Senegalese winger.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Leicester City (Firmino)
The home side go ahead! Milner feeds Firmino and the Brazilian cuts inside before squeezing the ball into the bottom corner. Great finish.
The 24-year-old is in good form in this calendar year.
Decent chance for Okazaki, which he spurns. It matters little though, as the Japanese international is ruled offside anyway.
SAVE! Lallana and Mane exchange a one-two down the right, and the latter’s cut-back finds Sturridge. The England striker shoots first time with his weaker right foot and it stings the palms of Schmeichel, who makes a smart save.
Liverpool continue to attack and look more likely to score than the Foxes as we reach the half-hour mark.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Leicester City (Sadio Mane)
After a couple of nice passes in the midfield, a long ball from Henderson sets Sturridge away. His super backheel tees up Mane, and the ball ends up in the back of the net despite Schmeichel getting a hand to it.
That was a fine team goal.
SUBSTITUTION – Danny Simpson has gone off injured with Luis Hernandez replacing him in the Leicester backline.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Leicester City (Jamie Vardy)
The visitors get off the mark thanks to a gift for Lucas Leiva, who receives a short pass from Mignolet and loses possession to allow Vardy in for the simplest of finishes.
That was risky. Schmeichel comes rushing out of his area and makes sure to keep his hands down as he chests the ball away.
Two minutes of additional time to play…
Half-time: Liverpool 2-1 Leicester City
AND WE’RE BACK – The second half has just started and Leicester have made another change. Nigerian international Ahmed Musa is on for Okazaki.
He’s immediately involved and his deflected shot wins a corner. Mignolet punches clear, but Liverpool have been awarded a free-kick anyway.
GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Leicester City (Adam Lallana)
The Reds hold a two-goal advantage once again thanks to a thunderous strike from Lallana after Wijnaldum’s lay-off in the box.
The official attendance this evening is 53,075 — the highest at Anfield since 1977.
BIG STOP! Mignolet blocks a Vardy effort with his legs when the striker looked more likely to score.
CLOSE! A Leicester corner is launched to the back post, where Danny Drinkwater catches the volley well, but it’s deflected behind.
DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION – Coutinho and Kevin Stewart are introduced for Liverpool, with Wijnaldum and Sturridge making way.
That was wasteful. Firmino cuts back for Henderson in the penalty area and the midfielder leans back and sends the effort well over the bar.
GOAL! Liverpool 4-1 Leicester City (Firmino)
That’s the result well and truly wrapped up. Liverpool break with Mane, who goes past the onrushing Schmeichel and squares to Firmino. He takes a touch inside Fuchs before passing the ball into an empty net.
LATE SUBSTITUTION – Alberto Moreno is on for Lallana, who was excellent today.
Full-time: Liverpool 4-1 Leicester City
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
