James Milner Penalty Preserves Liverpool's Perfect EPL Start in Leicester Win

Liverpool stretched their perfect start to the Premier League season to eight matches on Saturday, beating Leicester City 2-1 thanks to a last-minute penalty from James Milner.

Sadio Mane gave the hosts a first-half lead, but Leicester improved after the break, and James Maddison found the equaliser with 10 minutes left to play. The Reds were handed a lifeline deep into injury time, and Miler converted from the spot.

The result sees the Reds push their advantage over second-placed Manchester City to eight points. The Sky Blues will face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

The two in-form teams balanced each other out during the opening 20 minutes, keeping defenders busy with a series of crosses. Dejan Lovren and Caglar Soyuncu were the standouts, making several key clearances each.

The first big chance fell to Milner, who perhaps should have done better with his volley after great work from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Major chances were few, although Liverpool started to threaten more as the half wore on. Per the Athletic's James Pearce, manager Jurgen Klopp was not pleased a minor incident in the box didn't lead to a penalty:

Mane nearly got to a deep ball before Kasper Schmeichel managed to clear it, and Roberto Firmino made poor contact with another fine cross from Alexander-Arnold.

There was plenty of late drama in the half, with the VAR dismissing a possible red card for Alexander-Arnold after the full-back stepped on the heel of Youri Tielemans. Minutes later, Mane used his speed on a deep ball from Milner to put the hosts ahead.

The Senegal international is up to 50 goals for the Reds in the Premier League:

He nearly added his 51st before the half-time break, but Schmeichel was on hand to stop his effort after Firmino cut the ball back.

The Reds started the second half the way they ended the first, pushing for more goals. Schmeichel was called into action almost immediately, denying Mohamed Salah from close range. The Egyptian combined well with Salah minutes later, but Jonny Evans made a key intervention.

Leicester had no answers for Liverpool's onslaught, barely creating chances. A second goal seemed inevitable, and Firmino nearly provided it, firing wide after creating space for himself.

Jamie Vardy nearly got to the ball ahead of Adrian, providing the Foxes' first threat of the second half after 66 minutes. On the other end of the pitch, Andy Robertson blasted a shot straight at Schmeichel. Per Pearce, the contest was far from over:

Georginio Wijnaldum failed to put the visitors away, aiming a shot wide, and Dennis Praet couldn't find the target for Leicester with a hard strike. 

Leicester had been building some momentum for 15 minutes when Maddison struck with 10 to play, finishing off a wonderful team move to pull the Foxes level.

Football writer Chris Williams thought first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker would have saved his effort:

Leicester survived Liverpool's push for a winner until the final minutes of injury time. Marc Albrighton took a poor touch of the ball then made contact with Mane, who took an extra step before going to ground. The Senegalese sold the contact, but a VAR check confirmed the foul and upheld the decision.

Milner converted, giving the Reds the win at the death.

What's Next?

Liverpool visit Manchester United on September 20 following the international break. Leicester host Burnley on September 19.