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Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Leicester City started the match on the back foot, but responded with excellent effort following an opening goal from the opposition. Now stop me if you’ve heard this before: the result didn’t really match the flow of the game. These seem to be the themes of the season so far for the Foxes, and the 2-1 loss to Liverpool was no different.
Kasper Schmeichel - 6
He couldn’t have done much about either of Liverpool’s goals, and made a few decent saves early on but didn’t have much to do after that.
Ricardo Pereira - 6.5
For most of the game he was the solid and adventurous wing back we’ve seen in the first few games, but he was literally run over by Andrew Robertson en route to Liverpool’s first goal.
Wes Morgan - 6.5
Held up well for the most part defensively but doesn’t look great with the ball. He had a a great chance at goal on a set-piece but couldn’t quite connect with the ball.
Harry Maguire - 7.5
He was unlucky to have deflected the ball into Sadio Mane’s path for Liverpool’s first goal and defended well throughout the match, totaling five tackles and nine clearances.
Ben Chilwell - 7
Did just about everything that has become routine for him this season. Defended solidly and attacked well and often.
Wilfred Ndidi - 7
Added to his robust season total with four more tackles (whoscored.com), and continues to grow in comfort on the ball.
Nampalys Mendy - 8
Papy Mendy has become the season’s biggest surprise so far. He once again played very well and is further cementing his place in the XI. He again completed the most passes of any City player with 61 on 90 percent accuracy, and also defended doggedly.
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Rachid Ghezzal - 8
The Algerian winger impressed with a stunning goal in the midweek Carabao Cup match and earned his first Premier League start. He responded with a positive performance that saw him connect well with his fellow attackers, particularly James Maddison. He also scored a goal, though it came from Alisson’s comical error.
James Maddison - 8
Through four Premier League games it seems no player mirrors the team’s form more than Maddison. He was scarcely involved in the first 20 minutes where City struggled, but dominated play after that and the team followed suit.
James Maddison's game by numbers vs. Liverpool:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 1, 2018
60 touches
45 (87%) passes completed
5 shots
3 chances created
2 crosses
1 assist
Running the game at 21 years old. pic.twitter.com/oYEHTrDiME
Marc Albrighton - 7
Found his way back into the XI and generally played well. He was energetic, pressed really well, and created a few chances, but was slightly loose with his passes as he completed just 69 percent of them.
Demarai Gray - 6
Started as the lone striker and didn’t play particularly well in that spot. He did, however, have one dangerous shot on goal that forced an impressive save from Alisson.
Kelechi Iheanacho - 7
Came on in the 60th minute and looked lively. He ran hard and created City’s goal by stealing the ball from Alisson’s feet. He wasn’t credited with the assist, but the goal was mostly his work.
Shinji Okazaki - 6
Came on in the 75th minute and didn’t get to impact the proceedings much.
Daniel Amartey - 6
He was surprisingly subbed on for Maddison in the 82nd minute and avoided making any silly mistakes this time.
This match felt a lot like the season opener against Manchester United. City started poorly but were pretty clearly the better side for about 70 minutes, but couldn't capitalize on their chances. Regardless, this kind of showing against presumed title contenders Liverpool should create optimism. Who knows, had Jamie Vardy played it could have been three points for the Foxes.
There were a number of players who played well in the loss, but none more so than the Man of the Match James Maddison.