JOTA CHANCE
JURGEN KLOPP may know deep down that going for the max this season really is only a pipe dream.
And hunting down Manchester City for the Premier League title is likely to be the toughest task of all in Liverpool’s Quad bid, which includes the Champions League and both domestic trophies.
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But Diogo Jota produced the double on Thursday night that meant another small step forward and closed the gap on Pep Guardiola’s men to nine points with a game in hand.
And with the strength in depth the Anfield boss has at his disposal, why should he not at least go for it?
What was most important to Klopp was that momentum was maintained with this win.
Also that £37million winger Luis Diaz made his Prem debut and looked right at home.
And that he had the luxury of being able to bring on 23–goal top scorer Mo Salah — to a standing ovation from the Kop after his Africa Cup of Nations final heartbreak — from the bench.
Come Sunday’s visit to Burnley, Sadio Mane — the Afcon winner with Senegal over Egyptian club-mate Salah — will also be back.
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Klopp had called for a “special atmosphere” to help that Quad quest — and while he did not get exactly that for much of the game, he got enough to make him happy.
There was relief, too, that Salah has come to terms with Sunday’s defeat in Cameroon.
He forced a fine save from Kasper Schmeichel after a one-on-end 15 minutes from the end. And moments later, Salah’s brilliant leftfooter thumped the bar.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers called for a different sort of response from the side that left him embarrassed following their FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Nottingham Forest.
And he got it, too.
For it could so easily have been Liverpool who felt shame-faced thanks to the way Rodgers’ players answered his call as they put together a series of early raids.
James Maddison was at the centre of the bright start, delivering a cross met by Boubakary Soumare that demanded the attention of Alisson.
The Brazilian goalkeeper then had to stretch to tip over a fierce shot from the Foxes’ playmaker.
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Leicester’s enterprising opening forced Klopp’s men to sort themselves out shape-wise before even trying to get too ambitious.
When they did put their first concerted attack together, however, it was impressive.
A 19th-minute move begun by central defender Virgil Van Dijk ended with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s strike.
The right-back, making his 150th Prem appearance for Liverpool, cut into the box and fired with his left foot, Schmeichel reacting well to tip it over.
That attack provided the forward momentum the home side had lacked and the Kop finally began to relax and produce the noise Klopp had asked for.
With The Kop finding its voice, their heroes found their rhythm and Jota found the net — although the Portuguese’s 34th-minute strike was not down to flowing football.
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Not that it mattered as he picked up his 29th goal in 60 games for the club he joined from Wolves for £41M at the start of last season.
Alexander-Arnold delivered a corner from the right, the injury – it defence that has leaked goals all season failed to react, and Van Dijk powered in a free header.
Schmeichel did well to get down and parry but the ball flew straight to the front man whose five – yard finish also chalked up his 100th goal in club football.
It also took Liverpool’s tally to 59 goals in their 23rd league game – their best – ever haul at this stage of the season.
Leicester were the last side to beat Liverpool, Ademola Lookman’s goal giving them a 1 – 0 win in December.
That was also the only game this season in which the Reds have failed to score.
But that defeat apart they went into their third game in seven weeks against Thursday night’s opponents having won eight and drawn two of 11 games.
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Having taken the lead they produced the kind of football that Klopp believes gives him the right to suggest that going for the quad is not simply a pipe dream.
Jota is certainly one who is up for it and soon after the break he was back asking more questions, this time with a short – range drive forced wide by Schmeichel’s parry.
The Leicester No 1, if anybody, answered that Rodgers all to play for the badge.
For having brilliantly kept out Salah after the attacker came on to that rousing 59th minute reception he also stood firm to keep out looked like Diaz’ first goal in a Liverpool shirt.
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By the end Liverpool’ volume wasn’t quite at the max but it was getting there, especially after Salah’s entrance followed by Jota’s second from close range with three minutes left.
And Klopp was able to head away from the coaching zone having seen the confirmation that there is going to be a lot more noise to come yet from his team.
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