Player Ratings: Liverpool 2 - 1 Leicester City

Leicester City traveled to Anfield to take on league-leading Liverpool. The Foxes struggled to contain the opposition attack for much of the game, but it took a 94th minute penalty for the Reds to escape with a 2-1 victory. Still, most of City’s players did well to absorb the pressure applied by a dangerous opponent.

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Kasper Schmeichel - 6.5

Can’t be blamed for either of the goals allowed. His distribution was mostly good, though it did fail him on a few occasions where the passes drifted long.

Ricardo Pereira - 7.5

Strong on both ends of the pitch, as always. He made two tackles, three interceptions, four clearances, and blocked one shot. He also completed three dribbles and frequently provided an outlet for the team.

Jonny Evans - 6.5

He was mostly solid in defense. Evans made one tackle, four interceptions, seven clearances, and blocked one shot. He did well to contain the opposition for most of the game but was too slow to react and was beaten by Sadio Mané for the opening goal.

Çağlar Söyüncü - 8

Seemingly destroyed every Liverpool attack in the first half until Mané’s goal. From that point Söyüncü continued to be productive and racked up four interceptions, nine clearances, one blocked shot, and won two aerial duels. He did take a calculated yellow card after being beaten by Salah on one occasion.

Ben Chilwell - 4

Struggled mightily with limited cover from James Maddison. Liverpool targeted his flank and he couldn’t cope with the threat of both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah. He also struggled in possession and gave the ball away cheaply, only completing 59% of his passes.

Wilfred Ndidi - 8

Provided excellent cover when the Reds would break forward. Ndidi totaled two tackles, three interceptions, and three clearances. Shockingly, he also completed five dribbles, including one spectacular run through pressure past the halfway line.

Dennis Praet - 7

Did a fair amount of defensive work in many different areas of the pitch. He also provided some tidy passing and struck a dangerous volley that flew just wide moments before being subbed off. He finished the game with four tackles, one interception, one clearance, and completed 87% of his passes.

Youri Tielemans - 6.5

He was involved plenty, attempting the second most passes on the team, but never fully asserted his influence. Tielemans was only able to complete 77% of his passes which is substandard for him.

James Maddison - 7

Once again started out wide on the left. Didn’t provide much defensive cover for Chilwell, though he has improved in that respect, and struggled to get involved for large stretches. After he was moved centrally he was able to slip past the defense and score City’s lone goal.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Jamie Vardy - 5

A frustrating day for Leicester’s leading man. He didn’t always get service, and when he did he was defended really well. He got through on goal on one occasion but couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet.

Harvey Barnes - 5

Also struggled for involvement, finishing with the least touches of any City starter. He was subbed off after the first half without having made much of an impact. Barnes also completed just 50% of his passes.

Substitutes:

Marc Albrighton - 5

Subbed on for Barnes at the half. Got himself into the flow of the game plenty and seemed like he might make a positive difference for the Foxes. Albrighton, however, made the crucial mistake City the game. He made a good defensive effort to win the ball back but instead of letting the ball run for Kasper he took a touch away from him and proceeded to give away the foul in the box (though it was a soft one) that lost the game.

Ayoze Perez - 6.5

Came on in the 72nd minute and impacted the game in significant fashion. It was a positive performance marked most importantly by a slick assist for Maddison’s goal.

Hamza Choudhury - N/A

While much of the discourse after the game surrounded a tackle by Choudhury on Salah, it really wasn’t particularly dangerous. It also put a stop to a dangerous attack by the Reds. Other than that he wasn’t involved much after coming on in the 85th minute.

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It wasn’t a great performance overall, but in the end the Foxes will feel it was a point dropped thanks to the timing of some key events, including the penalty in the dying moments of the game. Still, the Foxes enter the international break fourth in the Premier League.

Despite the difficult nature of the fixture there were still some impressive performances from City’s players. Wilfred Ndidi, Dennis Praet, and James Maddison all made significant contributions to the match that could have seen the Foxes take a point. The Fosse Posse Man of the Match, however, was Çağlar Söyüncü. His defensive presence was crucial to stopping a powerful opposition attack.