LEICESTER CITY 3 LIVERPOOL 1
Match Report by Paul Weston
Just where do I start with a report on this match and on everything that had happened to our club over this season but, in particular, over the past week?
Every pundit and commentator have had their say on past events and, just for a moment, it would be good if Leicester City was in mid-table obscurity! For what it is worth I agree with the owners’ decision to relieve Claudio from his duties although I find it all desperately sad. Having watched most games this season it was painfully clear that something was really wrong and we were in a downward spiral towards relegation. The Champions League had masked the problems and, let’s face it, Sevilla could have been 6-0 up in the first half last week yet we somehow escaped with a 2-1 defeat.
We will never know whether any of the rumours have any foundation. However, it appeared that Claudio could no longer motivate the players to play to anything like their full potential. How do you motivate players that have achieved something they never thought possible in their career? Everyone went off-key at the same time. This was not helped by some strange tactics, team selections that did not work, confused players, poor recruitment, over-indulging some favourites and falling out with other team members! I could go on but it has all been said by others and no-one really knows the facts.
My sadness is that Claudio Ranieri was a gentleman and invariably acted with charm and humility. I wish he had stepped aside to avoid the sacking. He contributed hugely to an unbelievable achievement last season that we never dreamed possible.
And so to the match. No-one really knew how the team, under Craig Shakespeare’s temporary management, would react. It was also not clear how the supporters would react to the team. Was the players’ gratitude expressed on social media genuine? If they were so grateful why could they not have played well for him?
Shakespeare selected the “A” team with Okazaki in support of Vardy. Gray on the bench again. It soon became clear that City were up for it and the players tore into Liverpool from the start, particularly on the left hand side- just like old times! Vardy nearly scored after a route one move and looked on fire. Okazaki nearly scored with an instinctive header well saved by Mignolet. No Liverpool player was given a chance to settle, with Ndidi a tiger in the tackle.
Soon afterwards Albrighton slid a superb ball to Vardy who, typically on the defender’s shoulder, hared towards the goal and slammed it past the goalie. The crowd erupted. 1-0.
Although Liverpool’s passing impressed they failed to create clear chances. Our defence, for once, looked more solid, with Simpson and Fuchs, in particular, showing much improved form. Huth should have scored from a clear header. From another bout of City pressure created by Albrighton’s fine cut back, the ball was headed out to Drinkwater who crashed in a half volley from 25 yards. 2-0 and the terraces were literally bouncing!
City picked up the pace again in the second half, although Okazaki yet again spent more time falling over than on the ball. Vardy was terrorising the Liverpool defence and, from yet another run, an over-hit cross fell to Mahrez on the left. A superb passing move with Fuchs led to a cross (with his right foot!) that Vardy buried into the net with a super header even though flanked by two defenders. 3-0! We had to pinch ourselves. It was just like last season. Why oh why did it take Ranieri’s sacking to galvanise the players into action?
Gray and Amartey came on as the game went into the latter stages. City then started to drop back too far as the enormity of a stunning and unexpected win over Liverpool became more real. This gave Liverpool too much space in midfield, isolated Vardy and Coutinho duly scored with a well taken shot. Liverpool belatedly looked more dangerous and Schmeichel had to be at his best with two smart saves and one fortunate fumble around the post.
City weathered the storm and Fuchs even had the temerity to try and beat Mignolet from a huge distance, with the ball just landing on the top of the net. The match ended 3-1 and it was good to see all the players including substitutes applauding the fans at the end.
The fans really played a part in this win and got behind the team, yet acclaiming Ranieri in song in the latter stages of the match. He will never be forgotten.
And so, as the sports pages fill with more speculation about the next manager, we move onto the match with Hull City. If ever there was a six pointer, this is it. Can we win two games in a row for the first time this season and give Shakespeare the chance of a permanent appointment?
Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez (Gray 80), Drinkwater, Ndidi, Albrighton (Chilwell 90), Okazaki (Amartey 69), Vardy. Subs not used: King, Slimani, Zieler, Ulloa
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lucas (Woodburn 84), Milner, Lallana (Origi 66), Can, Wijnaldum, Mane (Moreno 66), Firmino, Coutinho. Subs not used: Karius, Klavan, Stewart, Alexander-Arnold
Attendance: 32,034 Referee: Michael Oliver
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation