EPL: Salah Scores 100th Home Goal as Liverpool Defeat Leicester 3-1

Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Leicester City, thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool solidified their position at the top of the Premier League with a convincing 3-1 victory over Leicester City, increasing their lead to a commanding seven points. This win marked the Reds' eighth consecutive triumph on Boxing Day, showcasing their impressive form on this festive fixture.

The match did not unfold as many had predicted, with Leicester City defying expectations in the early stages. Despite being the relegation-battling underdogs against the table-topping Reds, Leicester's strong start caught Liverpool off guard, forcing them to regroup and mount a comeback.

Leicester City, embodying their “fearless Foxes” moniker, launched a bold attack from the outset, catching Liverpool off guard. The visitors' relentless pressure paid off when Stephy Mavididi embarked on a daring run down the left flank, ultimately finding Jordan Ayew in the box. Ayew seized the opportunity, pivoting swiftly to fire a precise shot into the bottom corner.

Despite conceding the early goal, Liverpool remained calm, aware of Leicester's recent propensity for surrendering goals. The Reds soon capitalized on this vulnerability, with Andy Robertson's header rattling the post, narrowly preserving Leicester's clean sheet. This close call served as a warning sign for the hosts, who would eventually struggle to contain Liverpool's potent offense.

Given Liverpool's reputation for resilience, a more spirited response to Leicester's early goal might have been anticipated. However, the Reds struggled to find their footing, delivering a lackluster performance for much of the match. Just as the first half seemed destined to conclude with Liverpool trailing, Mohamed Salah conjured a moment of brilliance, curling a shot that cannoned off the top of the crossbar.

In the dying embers of the first half, Liverpool launched one final assault, and it yielded the equalizing goal. Cody Gakpo proved to be the catalyst, unleashing a beautifully curled effort that nestled neatly into the far corner. This timely strike drew Liverpool level, providing a crucial boost ahead of the second half.

Following the equalizer, Liverpool seized control of the match, dictating the pace and creating scoring opportunities. Their dominance paid off just five minutes into the second half, as Curtis Jones tapped home Alexis Mac Allister's pinpoint cross. However, the celebration was temporarily put on hold, as a lengthy VAR review ensued to confirm the goal's validity.

The VAR system was called upon again shortly thereafter, this time to scrutinize Cody Gakpo's potential second goal of the evening. After another extended review, it was determined that Darwin Núñez had been offside in the build-up, thus denying Gakpo another goal against his former manager. This decision merely delayed the inevitable, as Liverpool's relentless pressure eventually led to a third goal.

Mohamed Salah, as he so often does, played a pivotal role in Liverpool's victory, scoring his 100th home Premier League goal in style. The Egyptian forward curled a sublime shot into the net, sealing the win for the Reds and cementing his status as one of the Premier League's most prolific goal-scorers.

Cody Gakpo's equalizer capped off a thrilling first-half finale, setting the stage for Liverpool to seize control of the match. The Reds ultimately capitalized on Chelsea's earlier stumble, using the opportunity to extend their lead in the title race and create further separation from their pursuers.

In stark contrast, the outlook has grown increasingly dire for Leicester City. Following Wolves' victory over Manchester United, Leicester found themselves plummeting back into the relegation zone, intensifying the pressure on the team to reverse their fortunes and climb the Premier League table.