Good evening! How are we? It’s my first day back after a lengthy honeymoon so forgive any bizarre ramblings – it’s probably the tequila still talking.
Anyway, it’s first versus seventh tonight.
Leicester, if you need any reminding, are currently in control of the Premier League, three points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal.
Liverpool are thirteen points from the summit.
The teams are in.
Let’s take a look.
The Foxes are unchanged from the side that beat Stoke 3-0. Jamie Vardy, by the way, isn’t on his way to Real Madrid…he’s expected to sign a new deal imminently.
And the guests will line out as follows. It’s a bit different from the XI that took on West Ham in the FA Cup on Saturday…
Still no Christian Benteke though – he’s on the bench.
Roberto Firmino continues through the middle, supported by James Milner and Adam Lallana.
How much will Vardy look forward to taking on the centre of that defence?
Kick-off is 7.45, by the way.
It’s a busy evening in the top-flight so strap yourself in. I’ll bring you updates from around the other grounds throughout our coverage.
Are the wheels about to come off for Leicester? Four draws from their last six games and games to come against Man City and Arsenal. This is where everything gets upped a notch. Can they deal with the pressure?
Where will the danger come from Liverpool? Firmino, you’d presume, will have a big role to play. He’s featured in free-flowing games and with Leicester’s counter-attacking style, you’ll expect him to find space this evening. A brace in the 3-3 draw with Arsenal and another double in that remarkable 5-4 win at Norwich.
‘Potentially game-changing’ is how the commentator describes Liverpool’s bench. We’ll see. Almost underway here.
‘Hey Jude’ is blasting out over the PA system. The Beatles were never big football fans, in fairness. But, fingers on buzzers… name the song in which they reference Sir Matt Busby…
1′ KICK-OFF!
CLOSE! And Leicester already pressurise Liverpool in their own half after forcing a quick throw-in. The guests can’t really catch their breath and suddenly Mahrez is on the ball and attacking. He cuts inside and onto his left and tries to steer it inside Mignolet’s far post but it’s just wide. Early warning.
Over at Carrow Road, Dele Alli has given Spurs the lead at Norwich after just 3 minutes.
4′ - Meanwhile, Emre Can tries his luck from distance and the less said about it the better.
8′ – CLOSE! Vardy tees Okazaki up perfectly after racing clear of Lovren and sending in a perfect cross to the far post. But with the goal gaping, Mignolet claws it up and over from point-blank range. Great stop but he really needs to put that away.
All Leicester so far and Liverpool have barely managed to get out of their own half. It could easily be 2-0 already. Very loud and very proud at the King Power.
11′ – Lovren has started really poorly here. Another error and Vardy, briefly, looks like he’s away but falls over as he tries to burst clear. Referee waves play on but Vardy raced straight to Andre Marriner to complain once Liverpool got the ball back. Moments later, Firmino stupidly drifts offside when in a really good position, though Schmeichel saves point-blank anyway.
Danny Drinkwater has been wonderful this season. Formerly at Manchester United though never played a senior game for them, he shows desire and grit to dispossess Milner. Typifies him as a player, really. Spirit, graft, determination. The more you watch the Premier League, the more there is to be said for those qualities.
There is a brilliant, fluid style to this Leicester side – they’re really full of confidence. Fuchs sends in a lofted cross from the left, Mahrez traps it, comes inside and shoots. Mignolet gets behind it and saves. Again.
A couple of updates from elsewhere. Sergio Aguero has given Manchester City the lead at Sunderland while Aston Villa are down to ten men against West Ham with Jordan Ayew shown a red card.
Liverpool have settled into this game in the last five minutes but still making some silly errors in possession. Firmino is valiantly working the channels while Milner has played some intelligent balls. Other than that, there hasn’t been much from them.
The game suffering through a bit of a lull here. Best two chances falling to Leicester inside the opening ten minutes but Liverpool have calmed things down, though Lovren has just cheaply given away a free-kick here and this is a good position for Leicester.
Firmino finds some space in the right channel of the area. Looks to fire it across the near post where Milner is lurking but it’s too close to Schmeichel, who gets down and makes a routine stop.
Another update from elsewhere and this is not a typo. Manchester United have scored a first-half goal at Old Trafford. They lead Stoke City thanks to Jesse Lingard’s strike.
CLOSE! Mahrez tries to bend one to the top corner but Mignolet flings himself to his right and tips it away. Wonderful stop and it really came from nothing.
Oh, dear. Firmino does well to spot Moreno, who is in acres of space down the left side. And he has a chance as he races towards goal. Plenty of time, takes on the shot and balloons it over the bar. He had four team-mates waiting for a pass.
United are 2-0 up against Stoke, by the way. Anthony Martial adding another after Lingard’s opener.
CLOSE! Mignolet does not look very commanding as he fails to deal with a cross and Sakho has to hack it to safety.
Just a few minutes to go until the break. Liverpool are fortunate they’re not behind here. Leicester have created some good chances, not least Okazaki’s close-range header. Mignolet has kept his side in this so far.
HALF-TIME!
Liverpool will be glad to go in scoreless. They’ve been out-battled a bit here. Leicester have created chances and really should be in front. With Mahrez especially, they’ve looked a threat whenever they’ve been in the final third.
Klopp’s side did get a foothold in the game after 15 minutes but have failed to really get anything going. Firmino has struggled to exert himself while the supporting cast haven’t featured.
They’re most influential player has been Mignolet and that says plenty.
Here’s how we’re looking elsewhere currently.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY!
CLOSE! That’s much better from Liverpool. Some incisive one-touch passing in the Leicester area and it’s finally teed up perfectly for Can who tries to drive inside Schmeichel’s near post but it takes a touch on its way and goes out for a corner.
No changes for either side though it’s inevitable we’ll see Jurgen Klopp bring in Benteke at some stage.
The game is really opening up here. A brief break in play though as Simpson clatters Milner but doesn’t get shown a yellow card.
Klopp has clearly asked for more risk-taking up front as they push more players forward. Lallana does well in the channel, when he lays it off though, the cross from the right is too high and possession reverts back to Leicester.
GOAL! Vardy!
CLOSE! A shot in anger from Moreno – nobody expected it, least of all Schmeichel. He scrambles towards his near post and punches away. Could very nearly have sneaked in.
Oh, my word. What a magnificent goal that is from Jamie Vardy. He hasn’t seen much of the ball tonight. But Mahrez plays a superb pass to the right channel for Vardy to run onto and it bounces up just as he goes to control it. Instinctively, probably knowing Mignolet is off his line, he takes on the shot and thumps it over the stranded keeper to the net. Brilliant, brilliant strike.
Take a bow, Mahrez though. Incredible pass.
Firmino flashes a shot towards goal on the turn but it’s wasteful and harmless. Annoying, surely, for Klopp. Liverpool have been much better since the restart with more sparkle in attack but the end product is not there.
Well, that’s the difference, isn’t it? That individual magic that Liverpool had just a few short seasons ago. That Vardy goal actually reminded me of Suarez’s against Norwich.
SUBSTITUTION! Benteke (on) – Henderson (off)
Pretty simple instructions for the former Aston Villa man.
Manchester United have added a third against Stoke – Wayne Rooney getting his name on the score-sheet.
A lot scrappier than his first but I’m sure he’ll take it. Okazaki tries a shot from the edge of the area and it’s deflected into the path of Vardy who tucks it to the corner. He was onside, no question of that. Fortunate but what do they say about making your own luck?
GOAL! Vardy!
Penalty claim a few moments ago when Okazaki went down with Sakho struggling to get to him. The defender may have got a slight touch on the ball but, in football commentary parlance, you’ve seen them given.
SUBSTITUTION! Allen (on) – Can (off)
Another change you could see coming from Klopp.
There’s been a steely resolve to Leicester, exemplified by the central midfield duo of Drinkwater and Kante – they have been excellent. Meanwhile, Mahrez thrills everyone by taking a ball down effortlessly on the touchline and then conjuring a neat nutmeg moments later.
SUBSTITUTIONS!
Liverpool: Teixeira (on) – Firmino (off)
Leicester: Gray (on) – Albrighton (off)
BOOKING! Lucas takes down Okazaki and we have the first yellow card of the night.
As it stands, Leicester will remain top, three points clear of Manchester City while Liverpool will slip to eighth.
SUBSTITUTIONS! King (on) – Okazaki (off) & Ulloa (on) – Mahrez (off)
Changes continue and it’s game over here, ebbing towards full-time.
FULL-TIME!
There are fourteen games left in the Premier League season and Leicester City remain top of the table by three points. Their incredible story continues while it was more of the same for Liverpool – plenty of perspiration and a distinct lack of inspiration.
They struggled in the final third and they appear to have a real problem with their main attacking force. Firmino was quiet tonight, shackled by Huth and Morgan. Adam Lallana and James Milner couldn’t contribute much, though the latter tried valiantly.
The Foxes screened superbly though with Kante and Drinkwater stand-outs in the centre of midfield while the crucial moment, really, came out of the blue – Vardy conjuring a moment of spectacular brilliance to open the scoring after Liverpool had pushed more bodies forward following the restart.
Leicester created more chances and tested Mignolet on numerous occasions – still no signs that the wheels are coming off.
Thanks for staying with us throughout our coverage. More reaction to this game and all of the Premier League action this evening coming up on the site.
Please all read your season ticket holder email. Leinster rugby are urging any and all fans to bring a pair of boots and gum shield to the RDS on Sunday.
Crap. Speedy Recovery, Marty.
Bent has pretty much gone down the road of being a lose head. He is no longer considered a TH.
Lose head? That’s a bit harsh
I really wonder if Leinster’s front-row players were adequately prepared during pre-season training, at the province, for the season ahead.
The Ireland set-up may have to take more direct control of Irish players’ pre-season preparations next year, as Leinster’s pre-season preparation has clearly been a disaster which is unravelling all too soon.
Its hardly time for conspiracy theories John. We’ve just go unlucky with a few injuries, really can’t blame Matt O’Connor for that.
Interesting article by Neil Francis in Sunday Indo yesterday. Rugby players popping hamstrings and shoulders like popcorn in last few months – down to the weights program -too much muscle bulk and strain and something has to give … Cian Healy’s hamstring apparently is a catastrophic rupture which is highly irregular and very like the injury Straus suffered. He may also be blowing crap …
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/leinster-rugby/neil-francis-dealing-with-weighty-issue-of-exactly-how-much-is-enough-30656812.html
Something must be wrong. If agree with Francis, there’s no need for Healy to be packing on the beef to the extent he’s done
Neil Francis is not a doctor, physio or authority on anything to do with anatomy, strength or conditioning. There are highly qualified s&c coaches, physios and doctors managing the players. They know far better than Franno what players should and shouldn’t be doing with their weight, gym, exertion etc.
Yes rugby is becoming more physical but we’re going through an incredibly unlucky period. That will change.
I doubt that John. Munster are having a similar issue at hooker…
Francis is anti rugby and loves to slate the sport. He has no backround in any of the stuff he harps on about and anyone who believes a word out of his mouth more than likely believes Santa is real.
Ah Fer FFss
Luke Fitzgerald,Cian Healy,Sean o’brien,Marty Moore,it’s just one significant injury after another for Leinster. Very very frustrating.
All Provinces pick up injuries. Ulster without Touhy,Pienaar,Henderson,Jackson,Marshall. Every club gets its turn.
I know… I follow Leinster…
No province can compete against the top French teams without all their top players.
Andrew Warwick is a player to keep an eye on. Never disappoints and can hold up both ends of the scrum and even shift a bit in the loose.
Fitzpatrick has started one game for Ulster all season which was a defeat against Zebre. Archer was very impressive in the wins against Scarlets and also against Leinster. It’ll be an easy choice for Archer who would be a much better investment as he is about years younger than Fitzpatrick who is also very injury prone and constantly battles with his fitness. Very good scrummager though.
White for Ireland!!!!!!!!!!!
Sh|te :(
Who will come in on the bench lads? It’s probably between Fitzpatrick and Archer, with White an outside bet. Would any Ulster and Munster fans be willing to fill me in on their player form wise?
Will be much clearer for Deccie Fitzpatrick after the Leicester game. Looking forward to him putting in a big shift.
Surely he wont be playing though? Herbst has started all but one game this season. Why would Doak suddenly bring him in to play Tigers.
Off the bench….
“he’s damaged his *laburnum* now”
Interesting to hear that Moore has damaged a small tree!
no