Liverpool strolled to a comfortable 4-0 win against Leicester City at the Singapore National Stadium this Sunday afternoon. They retained the Standard Chartered Singapore Trophy in the process. 
Leicester City started brightly
The game had started off well for Leicester City, with the Foxes creating several good counter attacking opportunities early on, but were denied by last-ditch defending and goalkeeping on Liverpool’s part.
Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez’s 10th minute shot at goal was correctly flagged for offside. 
Nunez opens the scoring for Liverpool
But not to be deterred, the Reds created more chances and Nunez found the back of the net at the half hour mark. It was a tap-in from close range when Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen parried Diogo Jota’s strike into his path.
The Reds doubled their lead through Bobby Clark in the 35th minute, who easily slammed home Mohamed Salah’s cutback into the middle of the penalty box. 
They then added a third goal three minutes later when Jota’s header off a cross from Salah found the back of the net. Liverpool went into the break 3-0 ahead.
Second Half
Several changes were made in the second half, with Liverpool giving several of their youngsters a taste of first team action.
The goals slowed down in the second half, but the Reds added a fourth in the 63rd minute through Ben Doak, who headed in at the near post to seal the victory for Liverpool.
Luis Diaz almost made it five in the 73rd minute, but his header from close range was marginally ruled offside.
Leicester City created several chances in the second half but were unable to convert any of them.
The Foxes’ best chance of the match fell to Patson Daka but a last-ditch block by Jarell Quansah denied Leicester City a consolation goal. 
Klopp was happy with his team’s performance
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was pleased with his side’s showing.
Said Klopp, “It was all good, we created great chances. In the first half, the high press worked pretty well in moments. The second half, we were a lot better with pressure on the ball. There were a lot of good moments but we can still do better.”
Leicester City manager stays positive
Despite the result, Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca remained positive.
He said, “Today I think the team started very well in the first half an hour. We were playing good football from the back, (they) created chances, found solution, found the space. The results will always come in football, but for me today was very important to see how the team receive the idea, the intention, and to be honest, I’m happy with that.”
Leicester City’s lessons from Singapore
Harry Winks, Leicester City midfielder, also added that the lessons they have gleaned from the match in Singapore will be useful for the Foxes as they aim to make a speedy return to the Premier League.
The Foxes, who were champions in 2016, were relegated from the Premier League last season after finishing the season in 18th position. 
Said Winks, “We played against one of the best teams in the world who are ruthless when you make mistakes. It was a good test for us, lots of positives, but ultimately we’re disappointed with the results.”
“Our aim this season is to get promoted. We know it’s a difficult league to play in, but we have a great squad and a great manager, and we are all very determined to get back into the Premier League,” Winks continued.
Liverpool hoping to build on next season
Liverpool finished last season in fifth spot, qualifying for Europa League football. The Reds are hoping to improve on last season’s performance and return to the Champions League.
Said Jota, who was Man of the Match, “We want to do a lot better than we did last season. Last season was not great so we really want to improve on that. That is what pre-season is about, to build and try to get better for the start of the season.”
Liverpool to play Bayern Munich on Wednesday
Liverpool will play German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich this coming Wednesday evening for the Singapore Trophy presented by Audi and Standard Chartered at the National Stadium.
Leave a Comment