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Leicester City traveled to Anfield and became just the second team this season to take points off of Liverpool there with an exciting 1-1 draw. Things once again started slowly for the Foxes as they allowed a third minute goal from Sadio Mané, but they responded with an excellent display for the remainder of the game.
Kasper Schmeichel - 7.5
Surprisingly wasn’t troubled much but on the two or so occasions a shot actually reached him he made incredible saves.
Ricardo Pereira - 8.5
Continued his dominant run of form with an excellent performance on both ends of the pitch. He tallied three tackles, three interceptions, six clearances, and won three aerial duels, while also completing three successful dribbles, drawing six fouls, and only being dispossessed once.
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Jonny Evans - 7
Failed to clear the ball in the build-up to Liverpool’s goal, but defended well for most of the remainder of the game.
Harry Maguire - 8.5
Defended extremely well making two interceptions, 10 clearances and winning four aerial duels. He also scored the goal that earned a point from a set-piece, but it wasn’t with his head as we’ve become accustomed to.
Ben Chilwell - 9
It was an all-around dominant game for Chilly. He totaled one tackle, one interception, seven aerial duels won, and 16, yes SIXTEEN, clearances. He also carried the ball forward well and contributed the assist on Maguire’s goal.
Nampalys Mendy - 7.5
It was Papy’s best performance in some time. He made two tackles, three interceptions, and two clearances. He also added three successful dribbles including one impressive long run where he retained possession despite pressure from Liverpool.
Wilfred Ndidi - 8
Also surprisingly completed three dribbles and added to that with five tackles, two interceptions, and two clearances.
Marc Albrighton - 7
Made a strong impact tracking back (three tackles, four interceptions, and two clearances), but was less effective in attack, allowing himself to be dispossessed four times and being credited with four bad touches.
James Maddison - 6
Found himself in good areas on more than one occasion but wasn’t at his sharpest. He was slow to make decisions at times, wasted a perfect headed chance in front of goal, and mishit a free kick in a dangerous area. He was subbed off in the 74th minute without having made much of a positive impact.
Demarai Gray - 7.5
Some may deride him for a seemingly poor decision - shooting from a tough angle rather than passing to Madders in the box - but it would have been a difficult pass to make through two defenders. Aside from that he was mostly positive and repeatedly broke lines with his runs. He tallied four successful dribbles in the match.
Jamie Vardy - 7.5
Couldn’t quite get on the ball often enough but pestered Liverpool’s defense (and Alisson) with his constant pressing which resulted in a few crucial mistakes.
Hamza Choudhury - 7
Came on in the 74th minute, made only five touches, attempted just three passes (none of which were successful), and still had a huge impact with one shining moment. Just look at this:
We love a good tackle and this is fantastic from Hamza Choudhury. pic.twitter.com/DLNhavEVca
— ONSIDEVIEW.COM (@theonsideview) January 31, 2019
Shinji Okazaki - 5
Subbed on in the 83rd minute and got just one touch on the ball.
Kelechi Iheanacho - N/A
Came on in the 89th minute and registered zero touches.
*all stats courtesy of whoscored.com
City’s impressive form against the Premier League’s top sides continued in this game and offered renewed hope for those that may have lost it after the loss to Wolves. The Foxes put in an unbelievable defensive performance in difficult conditions against one of the world’s most dangerous attacking sides and earned a point for their troubles.
xG map for Liverpool - Leicester
— Caley Graphics (@Caley_graphics) January 30, 2019
An excellent defensive and counterattacking performance by Leicester. Liverpool seemed... tired? Snow-disliking? Dunno. pic.twitter.com/MbRzoNRyCN
Perhaps with some more clinical finishing the Foxes could have taken all three points, but to be critical of this result would be silly. Nearly every single City player impressed in this one (with Madders being the only notable exception). There was no shortage of options for Man of the Match as Chilly, Slabhead, and Ricardo all stood out and any of them could have been a reasonable choice. The Fosse Posse MOTM, however, is Ben Chilwell as he was dominant on both ends of the pitch and made a decisive contribution with his assist.