PLAYER RATINGS: LEICESTER CITY 0-3 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool romped to a comfortable away victory tonight, with a Curtis Jones first half brace setting them on their way before a sublime Trent free kick in the second period. The result move the Reds a point behind Newcastle and Manchester United. Here are player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 9

Smothered Vardy’s shot early on after he had spring the offside trap. It would have been a different game had that gone in. Pulled off an outstanding save to tip Barnes’ curler away from the top corner. What a save that was! He was quick off his line to sweep up the few times Leicester broke in behind. Another clean sheet!

Alexander-Arnold – 9.5

Ran the show yet again. Played an amazing pass in behind for Gakpo with nonchalant flick from the outside of his boot. Played similarly impressive passes all night and crowned it with a stunning free kick. He looks a completely different player since the system tweak.

Konaté – 8

Trustworthy at the back. Anytime Barnes or Vardy got away down that channel he was there to get a foot in. Wrestled with the veteran striker all night and won that battle emphatically. Booked for fouling Maddison late on.

Van Dijk – 8

Crucial foot in early on to halt a dangerous Maddison break. He’s whittled his game down to a no nonsense approach of late. Just cleared into touch when he needed to. His big diagonals asked questions of the Leicester rearguard early on. Worked that offside trap like clockwork.

Robertson – 8

A strong display down the left. Defended well and picked his moments to bomb forward. One purposeful run saw him go down in the box under pressure from Castagne. The energy he brings to the side is fantastic.

Fabinho – 9

Another rock solid display tonight. A by-product of this new system is he’s got legs around him in midfield and isn’t left to cover too much space. He got on the ball a lot and played little intricate triangles around the Leicester pressure. Won the ball back like we know he can. One strike from range first half was poor however. Needs to find his shooting boots with the amount of space he enjoys at times.

Henderson – 7.5

Full of running. Made the pitch wide by pulling to the right to get on the end of a couple of trademark Virgil diagonals first half. Enjoying this attacking role at the minute, even if he isn’t the cutest on the ball. A strong driving run through the middle saw him win the free kick Trent scored from.

Jones – 10

A Man of the Match display and possibly a coming of age performance. Basically settled the game as a contest with two late strikes in the first half. The first, similar to his goal against Spurs, was a steered finish across the keeper. The second was an explosive finish after a sharp turn. He’s been truly sublime since getting a run in the team.

Salah – 8.5

In playmaking mode tonight. Set up both goals for Jones with unselfish layoffs in the box, before completing the hat trick of assists with an easy roll of the ball from the free kick for Trent to smash home. He should have scored to boost the goal difference even more when sent clear through on goal. He won’t want to see that again. It was a woeful attempt.

Gakpo – 6.5

Not quite at his sharpest, with the ball bouncing off him at times. He should have scored right before halftime when sent through on goal on the break but he shot too close to Iversen. Sweet turn to start off the move for the second goal. Played Salah through for that chance second half. Grafted throughout.

Diaz – 6

Lost the ball too many times in the opening stages, with his touch letting him down. He was very frustrating at times with his decision making in the box, screwing one shot into the side netting with Salah free far post. Carried the ball up the pitch well turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye. Good to see he’s not lost that lightening pace.

Substitutes

Milner – 5

Brought on for the skipper with about 15 to go. Standard Millie. Put himself about.

Jota – 5.5

Was denied a certain goal by a soft free kick call by Craig Pawson after winning the ball in the Leicester box.

Carvalho – N/A

Hello? Good to see him get a few minutes towards the end. It’s been too long.

Elliott – N/A

Gave the ball away in midfield with a poor pass straight to Maddison.

Jürgen Klopp

Went with pretty much the XI he’s settled on of late and was rewarded with a strong away performance. He used four subs tonight, handing minutes to some members of the squad. A seventh consecutive league victory is some going. A very welcome reminder that this side is still capable of stitching wins together. Pressure on those above now.