Leicester vs. Liverpool: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League

Steven Gerrard scored the winner in his return to the starting lineup as Liverpool came from behind to defeat Leicester City 3-1 on Tuesday in a Premier League clash at the King Power Stadium.

Dropped to the bench for Liverpool's win over Stoke at the weekend, Gerrard played the full 90 minutes against Leicester, netting the winner nine minutes into the second half and showing he still has plenty to offer his club. Having marked the 16th anniversary of his debut as a substitute on Saturday, the Reds captain turned in a strong performance just a day after reports surfaced, via Andy Hunter of The Guardian, of an upcoming new contract with a reduced on-pitch role.

Leicester had led through a Simon Mignolet own goal in the 22nd minute, but Adam Lallana drew Liverpool level minutes later. With the Foxes chasing a draw, Jordan Henderson added Liverpool's third to seal victory in the 83rd minute.

Hosts Leicester finished the match with 10 men after captain Wes Morgan was sent off in the 63rd minute for pulling back Rickie Lambert. 

For Liverpool, it's a second straight victory in the league following a disappointing run of three consecutive defeats. With 20 points through 14 matches, the Reds are well out of the title race, but Tuesday's victory keeps Brendan Rodgers' side within five points of fourth-placed Manchester United.

Leicester, meanwhile, remain at the bottom of the table with 10 points through 14 matches. After winning the League Championship last season, the Foxes will be hoping to pick up momentum over the holiday period to avoid relegation in their first season back in the top flight.

Up next, Liverpool host Sunderland on Saturday. Leicester play at Aston Villa on Sunday.

The opening exchanges were even, with few clear chances coming at either end. Liverpool created their first good opening in the 16th minute, as Gerrard led a quick attack down the middle before laying off for Lambert on the right. Lambert rolled a pass into the centre for Raheem Sterling, who was unable to get off a shot with Kasper Schmeichel defending.

Leicester had a big chance in the 20th minute, nearly taking advantage of an error in Liverpool's end. Reds goalkeeper Mignolet gave the ball away, passing aimlessly into the path of Esteban Cambiasso. But with the goal gaping, Cambiasso rolled his shot wide of the post.

It was a let-off for Liverpool, but the relief was short-lived.

In the 22nd minute, Mignolet saved a close-range shot from Jamie Vardy, but Leonardo Ulloa chased down the rebound along the byline and sent another effort toward the target from a tight angle. The ball bounced off the near upright and appeared headed away to safety, but instead it caromed into the net off Mignolet's back for the opening goal.

Liverpool drew level just four minutes later. Gerrard swung in a free-kick from the edge of the box on the left, and Leicester failed to clear. Attempting to clear, Morgan headed into the path of Lallana, who hit a first-time shot past Schmeichel for the equaliser.

The score remained the same until early in the second half as Liverpool took the lead for the first time. Sterling created the danger with a rolled cross from the left flank. Again attempting to clear, Morgan poked the ball into the path of Gerrard, who tucked in his first-time finish to put Liverpool ahead 2-1 in the 54th minute.

Morgan's night became even worse in the 63rd minute. With the hosts chasing an equaliser, the centre-back pulled back Lambert after the Liverpool attacker had broken free in Leicester's half. Referee Lee Mason did not hesitate in showing the red card, reducing the Foxes to 10 men for the final 27 minutes.

Gerrard had a chance to score Liverpool's third in the 74th minute, racing free behind Leicester's defence to chase down a Henderson pass. Inside the box, however, Gerrard went to ground after colliding with Schmeichel, prompting the Liverpool captain to appeal for a penalty. Mason waved play on, ignoring Gerrard's protests.

Leicester responded by putting Liverpool under intense pressure despite playing a man down. But gaps began to open at the back, and Liverpool took advantage with the killer third goal in the 83rd minute.

Holding possession on the left, Gerrard tried to cross to the back post with an outside-of-the-boot pass that deflected toward Schmeichel. The Leicester goalkeeper should have held easily but instead spilled the ball into the path of Sterling. Sterling back-heeled into the middle for Henderson, who powered in for a 3-1 Liverpool lead.

The third goal killed off Leicester's resistance, and although the Foxes had played well at times, Liverpool only had to see out the closing moments for the full three points.

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Kasper Schmeichel	5.1
Ritchie De Laet	7.1
Marcin Wasilewski	7.5
Wes Morgan	5.7
Paul Konchesky	6.8
Riyad Mahrez	7.3
Matthew James	6.4
Esteban Cambiasso	7.1
Jeffrey Schlupp	7.2
Leonardo Ulloa	7.7
Jamie Vardy	6.3
Marc Albrighton (for Konchesky, 80')	6.6

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Simon Mignolet	6.3
Javier Manquillo	7.0
Martin Skrtel	9.0
Kolo Toure	7.2
Glen Johnson	7.9
Jordan Henderson	8.0
Lucas Leiva	8.4
Adam Lallana	7.4
Steven Gerrard	7.4
Raheem Sterling	7.7
Rickie Lambert	6.6
Alberto Moreno (for Manquillo, 46')	6.7
Joe Allen (for Lallana, 70')	6.2
Dejan Lovren (for Sterling, 90')	6.1

Reaction

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson (via BBC Sport):

"

I had a spat with a fan towards the end. I don't know what they are looking at at times. If they cannot see the players are having a proper go maybe they need to stay at home. The players are giving everything. I will always look for the positives. It is very easy for people to look at what we are not good at.

I don't like the commitment of my players being questioned. If they honestly think they are not committed, they are very wrong. Maybe that is why I stay in the stand.

"

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers (via BBC Sport):

"

It was a great victory, players were magnificent. We had to work very hard but our quality came through in the end.

We should have won in Europe. Three good performances. I have big trust in the players. We needed to pick up the standard again.

Steven Gerrard was rested last weekend with tonight in mind. When you rest a player people ask why. When you play them you are asked why aren't you resting them. The energy from being rested at the weekend gave him the energy to play tonight.

"