The atmosphere at Anfield on Thursday night was electric as Liverpool fans found their voice. What began as a small chorus of chants became a stadium-wide celebration as the Reds battled back from an early setback to secure a commanding 3-1 win against Leicester City. Mohamed Salah’s 82nd-minute strike capped the victory, which pushed Liverpool seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with one game in hand on their nearest rivals.
The match began tensely, with Leicester taking an early lead in the fifth minute. However, Curtis Jones marked his milestone 100th Premier League appearance with a crucial goal, putting Liverpool ahead 2-1. Salah’s late finish—his 19th goal of the season in all competitions—ensured the three points were safe and provided an emphatic conclusion to Liverpool’s final home game of the calendar year.
A Familiar Position, but ‘Feels Different’
Liverpool’s current dominance has rekindled memories of the 2018-19 campaign, when the Reds held a 10-point lead, only to see Manchester City overtake them to claim the title. This time, however, Mohamed Salah is confident things will end differently.
“It feels different,” Salah told Amazon Prime. “The most important thing is to stay humble. This one is very special. Hopefully, we win the Premier League—it’s something I dream of for this club. The team winning matters most, and we need to focus on each game to carry on like this.”
Salah’s humility mirrors the approach of manager Arne Slot, whose maiden season at Anfield has been nothing short of extraordinary. Slot left Feyenoord in the summer and has since transformed Liverpool into a formidable force across all competitions.
Slot’s Early Success
Under Slot, Liverpool have been nearly unstoppable, winning 22 of their 26 matches in all competitions. Not only do they sit atop the Premier League, but they also lead their Champions League group and have reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
When asked about being title favourites, Slot remained cautious. “As a manager, you go game by game. You know how many games there are to play. We are aware of the league table but also understand how quickly things can change. Injuries, bad luck, and suspensions can happen to any team.”
Liverpool’s next match against West Ham on Sunday offers an opportunity to extend their lead to 10 points, with Chelsea not playing until Monday. Despite the encouraging position, Slot emphasised that it’s “far too early to celebrate.”
Fortress Anfield
The victory over Leicester capped a stellar year for Liverpool at Anfield. In 2024, they won 15 of their 19 league games at home, dropping just 10 points. Thursday’s triumph also maintained their status as the Premier League’s best-performing home side this season.
Yet, Slot remains focused on the challenges ahead. “Two months ago, we were one point behind Manchester City. Look what happened there with injuries and other issues. This can happen to any team,” he warned.
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Milestone Moment for Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones added another chapter to his Liverpool story on Thursday, becoming the youngest player since Michael Owen in 2000 to score on his 100th Premier League appearance.
After the match, the 23-year-old midfielder received a special message from former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. “I saw a text from Klopp saying, ‘Congratulations on 100 games and here’s to 500.’ It was him who set up our team now,” Jones shared, crediting Klopp for laying the foundation that Slot has built upon.
Eyes on the Prize
Liverpool’s substantial lead and all-around performances have given fans hope of securing their first Premier League title in five years. While the team’s form has been exceptional, Slot’s pragmatic approach and insistence on focusing on one match at a time could be the key to maintaining their momentum.
With the squad firing on all cylinders and a supportive fanbase, Liverpool are well-positioned to chase history. But as Slot and Salah reiterate, humility and hard work determine whether this promising season ends in glory.