VIDEO: Jordan Ayew shocks Anfield with early opener but Liverpool come from behind to win
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points on Boxing Day with a 3-1 victory over Leicester City at Anfield.
Despite an early shock from Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew, who gave the visitors a surprising lead, the Reds staged a commanding comeback to secure all three points.
The match began under a dense fog, with Leicester City silencing Anfield within six minutes. Stephy Mavididi’s swift run down the left flank set up Ayew, whose inclusion in the starting XI had raised eyebrows. The Ghanaian expertly spun past Liverpool’s defence and slotted a precise finish into the bottom corner, leaving Alisson rooted to the spot.
Leicester looked poised to carry their lead into half-time as Liverpool struggled to find their rhythm. The Foxes came close to doubling their advantage, with James Justin’s deflected shot narrowly missing the target and Bilal El Khannous volleying over from a corner.
However, Cody Gakpo had other ideas. In stoppage time, the Dutch forward cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful curling effort into the far corner, restoring parity for Liverpool and sending the sides into the break at 1-1.
The Reds came out rejuvenated after the interval, taking the lead within five minutes. Curtis Jones celebrated his 100th Premier League appearance with a goal, firing home from Alexis Mac Allister’s pinpoint cross. A VAR review followed, but Jones was ruled onside, cementing Liverpool’s advantage.
Liverpool thought they had added a third in the 68th minute when Gakpo found the net again, but a lengthy VAR check revealed an offside position by Darwin Núñez in the build-up, disallowing the goal.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Mohamed Salah delivered the decisive blow. Receiving a sublime pass from Gakpo, Salah danced past Leicester’s defence and dispatched a trademark finish past Jakub Stolarczyk, putting the game beyond doubt.
Liverpool’s victory leaves them seven points clear at the top of the table as they prepare for a Sunday trip to West Ham’s London Stadium. Leicester City, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone and will look to bounce back when they host a struggling Manchester City side.
Watch the video below;
Leicester stun the log leaders inside 6 minutes 🫢
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 26, 2024
📺 Stream #LIVLEI on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/11e42oiXDB