It seemed that Blue September has affected the group managed by Jurgen Klopp. After all, there was a huge celebration at Anfield earlier this month when Champions League came back to one of the most famous venues worldwide.
On Saturday, Liverpool won their first game in September as they defeated Leicester (3-2) at King Power Stadium. With wounds still fresh after mixed performances against Manchester City, Sevilla, Burnley and the Foxes in the Carabao Cup encounter, Firmino & Co were hungry and eager to fight for a fresh new start of their Premier League campaign.
Which they did in a thrilling game with five goals.
Three points in the bag! đź”´ pic.twitter.com/GanEpXQOmN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 23, 2017
Sweet Revenge
What better place for a refresh than King Power Stadium, home of the #Ultimate Underdogs Leicester? The Foxes defeated Liverpool in the third round of the Carabao Cup but Premier League is a different battlefield. It took only 15 minutes for Mohamed Salah to score again for the Reds as his header struck the net of Schmeichel from close range. The Egyptian player proves to be a genius tactical move done by Klopp who already had a constellation of attacking footballers under his wing. Philippe Coutinho was the subject of a transfer saga this summer, but this didn't stop him scoring against Leicester.
Trademark free kick, perfectly executed and 2-0 for Liverpool under 24 minutes. It seemed a one-way ride but Okazaki broke the deadlock for Leicester before half-time and it seemed to be another horror day for Liverpool's defensive line.
Mignolet - hero of the day
Gray was sent in to put #Liverpool's defenders in danger as Sturridge was Klopp's choice for a consistent pressure at Schmeichel's goal.
And the drama began in the 67th minute. Vardy was found inside the box and he missed a sitter as Matip stepped in to block his effort. Liverpool launched a deadly counterattack, Sturridge found Henderson in the middle of the 16m box and the midfielder finished in style with a calm and executed shot. 3-1 but for only one minute as Liverpool's defenders seemed to be in Wonderland as Vardy, alone with an open goal, finished with a simple header.
The highlight of the game happened in the 72nd minute as Mignolet made a clumsy foul in the penalty box against the same Jamie Vardy. Although the Reds protested for a few minutes against the decision, Leicester was awarded a penalty and a golden opportunity to equalize. The Belgian goalkeeper paid his dues, saved the penalty and the three points go to Anfield after a drought which started after the thrashing victory against Arsenal back in August.
Simon Mignolet has saved 5 of his last 8 penalties. He's favourite to save 'em. pic.twitter.com/nYxzcdbvRX
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) September 23, 2017
Away from home
The season will carry on Tuesday, September 26, when Liverpool plays away at Spartak Moscow, in the group stage of Champions League.
So to continue their trip in Europe, the boys of Jurgen Klopp will travel to Newcastle to face a familiar face at Anfield, Rafa Benitez. It promises to be a blockbuster as Newcastle had a decent start in Premier League with wins against Stoke, West Ham and Swansea.