Liverpool manager Arne Slot watched his side come back from an early concession to beat Leicester City 3-1 on Thursday at a rain-soaked, fog-challenged Anfield.
Slot’s men opened up a seven-point lead on the field in the race for the Premier League Trophy, and Liverpool have a match-in-hand on everyone but local rivals Everton.
[ MORE: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester recap, video highlights ]
The Reds went behind on a seventh-minute Jordan Ayew goal, as Leicester made the most of their first chance of the game to take a lead away from home.
But Alexis Mac Allister set up goals for Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones to put the Reds in front and give the home fans who braved the elements a fond Boxing Day on Merseyside.
There was an overturned goal along the way that kept Leicester within shouting distance, but Liverpool controlled the ball and were good money for their win.
Arne Slot reaction — What did Liverpool manager say after Reds increased table lead in foggy win at Anfield?
On the performance: “Quite happy in general. During the whole game we played the way we wanted. The one thing we didn’t want was to go down 1-0 after 10 minutes. But we started well. First time they threatened us it was immediately a goal. Sloppy defending though. That’s why it was a hard one.”
Importance of Gakpo’s late first half equalizer: “During the first 45 minutes we were many times around their 18-yard box. Scoring just before halftime really lifted us.”
On Jones and Gakpo’s goals: “Our wingers were in 1v1 situations and these players have the quality to dominate these situations and finish as well. Curtis Jones is arriving in the box, something he needed to do a bit more from the first half. As a midfielder at Liverpool you need to score goals.”
On their impressive table lead: “We do look at the table. It would be weird [not to]. But we also know how hard this league is, because two months ago we were one point behind City. What this league can do to you with injuries and suspensions — we have to stay on top of our game. Sunday is West Ham away, again a challenging opponent.”
On his first time managing games around Christmas: “It doesn’t feel Christmas at all. You could say it was September or November and I would believe you. Normally you would be on holiday. But there are many people watching at home and they do like it, like I liked it before.”
Mohamed Salah reaction — On the win, and Premier League
On the win: “It’s a good result. To be fair they were a very tough first half and the second half the way they prepared before the game. The way they stood in front of the box was quite hard for us. We managed to score three goals, a great result.”
On his 100th PL home goal (98 for Liverpool)l: “Something I’m very proud of. We keep working hard and hopefully I can go a little bit further. The team winning, that’s the most important thing. Hopefully we win the Premier League and I will have a big impact on that.”
On having a seven-point table lead: “It’s great, great but we just need to focus on each game, and keep going on like that. .... The most important thing is to stay humble. This one is very special. Hopefully we win the Premier League for this club, I’ve dreamed of it. I really want to win the club.”
