Liverpool vs. Leicester: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Leicester City staged a second-half comeback at Anfield to take a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League on New Year's Day.
Two Steven Gerrard penalties—the first one a bad call, as the ball hit Wes Morgan in the face, not the arm—gave the Reds a comfortable lead at half-time, but they let the points slip after the break as David Nugent and Jeffrey Schlupp scored quickfire goals to earn a deserved point for the Foxes.
Here are all our winners and losers from the fixture.
Winner: Philippe Coutinho
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Philippe Coutinho's return to form has been sensational, and he continued that against Leicester with a performance of intelligence, skill and creativity.
In the first half he was a cut above, always looking to pick the ball up in space, turn and lure players into a rash tackle. The acceleration into damaging areas immediately after receiving possession is back, where he can then either feed a pass or draw out a defender.
He fell out of the game a little in the second half, as the Reds slacked off and let Leicester back into the game, before finishing strongly and getting in a couple of shots as the Reds chased a win.
Loser: Mario Balotelli
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Mario Balotelli was the big summer signing in attack, but as we enter the new year he still doesn't have a league goal, has missed games through injury and suspension and against Leicester was not even named in the matchday squad.
Fabio Borini has gone from being ignored totally to being chosen as sub ahead of him, Rickie Lambert remained on the bench, too, and even teenage prospect Sheyi Ojo, without a first-team debut, was preferred as another attacking option over Balotelli.
Winner: Mamadou Sakho
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With Liverpool's defensive ails all season long, it looks more bizarre than ever that Mamadou Sakho was left ignored and unused as he continues to show he is by far the club's best defender.
Composed on the ball, intelligent and proactive in his passing and very solid in his defensive work, the back three suits him entirely as he plays on the left side, but even as part of a central two, he's the most reliable, aggressive and impressive performer in the squad.
Twice on the cover in the second half he made tremendous challenges; once in the box after a Kolo Toure slip, once right over on the touchline as Leicester threatened to counter late on.
Loser: Brendan Rodgers
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First off, no matter what team Liverpool put out, they should have been dispatching the league's bottom club, at home, with ease—especially when two goals up at the break.
That they didn't is due to several reasons, starting with the lack of high press which was evident against Swansea. Jordan Henderson being shifted back out wide to accommodate Steven Gerrard, ineffective aside from his goals, was a mistake from the boss.
The lack of quality options in attack on the bench meant once they chased the game there was no real standout person who was likely to score, while defensively the Reds completely lost a hold on the game in the second half. The manager will have to answer those questions as they missed the chance to close the gap on the top four.
Winner: Riyad Mahrez
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Leicester's best attacking threat throughout the game was Riyad Mahrez, who almost scored after a minute and eventually set up the equalising goal.
His clever free-kick almost beat Simon Mignolet straight after kick-off, before he gave Alberto Moreno and Kolo Toure several problems with his runs infield off the right flank.
Pace, control and an eye for a shot make Mahrez Leicester's top talent this season, but he showed his awareness, too, for the pass into space which Schlupp took advantage of.
