Reds get vital three points

Emdad Rahman reports from Anfield
Liverpool 1-0 Leicester

A run of four winless games was ended as a solitary strike from substitute Christian Benteke was enough to secure three precious points for Liverpool on Boxing Day. The Belgian hitman’s winning goal ensured Liverpool is the first team in this season’s Barclays Premiership campaign not to concede a goal against Claudio Ranieri’s high flying team.

Jurgen Klopp’s men came into this fixture against Leicester City having not lost to the visitors since a 2-0 loss in 2001. The Foxes may have beaten Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton 3-2 at Goodison last week to secure top spot at Christmas, but they failed to maintain their high flying form at Anfield.

Divock Origi had two close attempts in the first half before a hamstring niggle forced the striker to be replaced by international colleague Benteke. On 63 minutes Roberto Firmino’s assist was converted by Benteke to secure an important home victory. Liverpool’s intense pressing subdued the threat of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy.  N’Golo Kante came closest to levelling matters for the Foxes.

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