Jurgen Klopp wears his heart on his sleeve and very rarely hides his emotions – be they positive or negative, but it’s fair to say he was ecstatic after Liverpool’s epic Premier League victory at the King Power this Boxing Day evening.
The performance his Reds put in against Leicester City was out of this world; we made the second placed team in the top flight look like a Championships side in their own back yard as we smashed them 4-0.
A brace from Roberto Firmino, a penalty from the ever-reliable James Milner and a stunner from Man of the Match Trent Alexander-Arnold was enough to put our supposed rivals to the sword.
A smiling Klopp agreed emphatically with the interviewer post game that he has a ‘single-minded, focussed bunch of players,’ as his Liverpool side 13 points clear at the table’s summit:
There were suggestions Leicester could cause an unbeaten Liverpool problems tonight, but the difference in quality and application was there for everyone to see.
In fact, the 4-0 scoreline flattered Leicester who were schooled in every department.
Naby Keita, fresh from recent injury problems, ran the midfield and should have earned a stunning assist – only for his turn and pass to Mo Salah to result in nothing.
Naby Keita vs. Leicester
92% Pass accuracy
3/3 Accurate long passes
1 Chance created
6/6 Dribbles completed
9/15 Ground duels
1/1 Aerial duel
2 InterceptionsKlopp has a habit of successfully integrating, and getting the best from midfielders. Keita is the latest. Superb again. pic.twitter.com/ITSJTV2A8x
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) December 26, 2019
The forwards were electric, but the young Scouser Alexander-Arnold stole the show and proved that right now, he’s probably the best fullback on the planet.
His fourth goal involved him sprinting up the touchline before darting into the box and finishing with the outside of his boot while still on the run. The subsequent Kylian Mbappe celebration will only quell rumours the Frenchman will eventually be Anfield bound.
Champions of the world, top of the Premier League and Trent's just confirmed we're signing Mbappé. What a time to be alive. pic.twitter.com/GrVsqMxbSG
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) December 26, 2019
Klopp’s home is still owned by Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers, but the Premier League’s landlord right now is the German.
His Reds are the fittest, fastest and most tactically well-equipped side in the country – and if not the world – following the pre-Christmas Club World Cup victory.
2020 could be an epic one for Liverpool, and if Leicester are the best of the rest, our rivals really do have problems.