Another game, another win and an incredible performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold ... it was business as usual for Liverpool against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The Reds now top the table by 13 points ahead of Leicester thanks to Boxing Day's sensational 4-0 win.
Liverpool showed their class at both ends of the pitch. The defensive duo of Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, assisted by the ever-dependable triumvirate of Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum in front of them, restricted the home side to few chances, while Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino (the latter with two goals) forced the home defence into unnecessary errors and threatened every time they poured forward.
Alexander-Arnold was the cream of the crop, though. He scored a sensational goal, provided two assists and had a hand in the other.
Positives
Three points, a clean sheet and a completely dominant performance meant there was much to admire about this display in a game that, on paper, could have derailed Liverpool's title charge. Leicester had conceded only five goals at home all season before shipping four tonight, while the shutout at the other end ensures Liverpool have still conceded only five goals on the road all season.
Liverpool, winning their 26th Premier League game in 27, remain the only side to have scored in every game this season. Oh, and Firmino's second and Liverpool's third was the club's 500th goal under Klopp's. In short: They were magnificent.
Negatives
Jurgen Klopp will be delighted his side carved out so many attacking chances, but he may also worry that their profligacy in front of goal in the first half could have cost them. Mane and Salah were both wasteful in front of goal and despite their dominance, Liverpool's 1-0 lead looked flimsy when Leicester threatened to have a go.
Manager rating out of 10
9 -- There were no surprises about Klopp's line-up, nor his tactical approach, but his side is showing an increasing maturity, patience and control. Few clubs have managed to nullify Leicester as effectively as his side did. The two teams are separated by just one league position, but the gulf in class was evident. He also reacted well to Leicester's pressure by bringing on James Milner and Divock Origi.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Alisson Becker, 7 -- Travelling supporters might have expected him to be busier in a game against their main title rivals, but in truth the Brazilian had little to do. His defence protected his goal well, and when required, he was quick off his line to cover with Leicester on the break.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 10 -- Two assists and a goal plus involvement in the other, Alexander-Arnold looked dangerous every time he had the ball at his feet. His whipped cross found Firmino in the area for Liverpool's first, while his ball lead to the penalty for the second. The attacking right-back then linked well with Firmino for the third before scoring a delicious fourth himself. And all of this while he marshalled James Maddison superbly at the other end.
DF Joe Gomez, 8 -- Top-class defending in so many different situations, Gomez was a dominant force throughout, slowing Leicester's advances and pushing players away from goal. A class act.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 -- Won everything in the air as you would expect but was pulled out of position on occasion during Leicester's rare ventures forward. Still looked composed and assured with Gomez by his side. His reading of the game is sublime.
DF Andrew Robertson, 7 -- Found opportunities in attack more limited than Alexander-Arnold on the opposite flank, but the Scot was superb at the back. Before the half-time break, he made a key challenge on the stretch to prevent Dennis Praet from shooting.
MF Jordan Henderson, 8 -- Henderson worked hard in front of his back four. At the other end, he seized on a defensive mistake, and his deflected effort caught out Kasper Schmeichel, though the keeper recovered. His injury in the second half was the only blight on the copy book.
MF Naby Keita, 7 -- Keita showed nice ball control throughout and like his fellow midfielders, he was everywhere. Leicester struggled to find any momentum going forward, and it was down to Liverpool's well-drilled midfield three. Made way for Milner in the second half.
MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 8 -- The Dutchman worked tirelessly in midfield, and it was down to his graft, alongside Henderson and Keita, that made the home side so toothless in attack. He goes about his business quietly, but he's an important cog in the machine.
FW Sadio Mane, 8 -- The forward had an excellent chance to give Liverpool an early lead when he got on the end of Salah's cross, but he missed from close range despite having lost Jonny Evans. He then had an incredible chance to double Liverpool's lead on 34 minutes when he found himself unmarked on the 6-yard box, only for his shot was saved by Kasper Schmeichel. Passed to Alexander-Arnold for the fourth goal.
FW Mohamed Salah, 7 -- A constant danger for the home side, though he may feel frustrated he didn't add his name to the scoresheet. His best chance came when he broke free thanks to a slide-rule pass from Sadio Mane. He rounded Schmeichel with a heavy touch and left himself too tight an angle to score.
FW Roberto Firmino, 7 -- The Brazilian was superb, linking the play and scoring twice. He got the all-important opener when he attacked Alexander-Arnold's cross and leapt above Ben Chilwell to head in the first half. He then made the game safe in the second with Liverpool's third.
Substitutes
MF James Milner, 8 -- Scored with his first touch of the game after coming on to replace Keita, Liverpool's Mr. Dependable scoring from the sport just before his 34th birthday.
FW Divock Origi, 5 -- The Belgian didn't get a sniff in front of goal, but his presence coincided with Liverpool taking charge once more when Leicester were sniffing around with the score at 1-0.
Adam Lallana, NR -- Came on with eight minutes left on the clock and did his job without making too much of an impact.