Liverpool 2 – 1 Leicester

Two own goals from Wout Faes helped Liverpool to a 2-1 comeback win over Leicester which moves the Reds to within two points of fourth place in the Premier League.

Liverpool’s first outing at Anfield since before the World Cup got off to a nightmare start just four minutes in when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall carved through the home side’s defence before bumping a finish past Alisson.

But after end-to-end action, Leicester centre-back Faes gave Liverpool a massive helping hand, first somehow slashing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross up and over Foxes goalkeeper Danny Ward (38) before thumping the ball into his own net again (45) after Darwin Nunez’s chip hit a post.

“An absolute nightmare for him and a nightmare for Leicester,” said Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher on co-commentary – one of three other players to have the unwanted record of scoring two own goals in a Premier League match.

The entertaining encounter served up chances for both sides after the break too, with Jordan Henderson, Mohamed Salah and Nunez culpable in front of the Kop and Harvey Barnes and Dewsbury-Hall going close at the other end, but those own goals ultimately proved decisive.

Liverpool’s fourth league win on the spin keeps them in sixth but they close in on Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification and, with new signing Cody Gakpo watching on from the stands, they will be optimistic about what’s to come in 2023. Leicester stay 13th.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Liverpool’s next fixture, a 5.30pm kick-off away to Brentford on Monday January 2, is also live on Sky Sports, while Leicester host Fulham at 7.45pm on Tuesday January 3.