Cody Gakpo basked in the limelight after netting a stunning goal for Liverpool in their resounding victory against Leicester City.
The festive cheer continued for the Reds as they wrapped up a convincing win on Boxing Day, consolidating their position at the top of the Premier League. The sense of impending triumph was palpable; you could almost hear the mantra echoing around Anfield: “We’re destined to lift the trophy, and we all know it!”
Even before the whistle blew, Liverpool’s confidence hit dizzying heights. Boxing Day had played out beautifully for them, with Manchester City faltering once again, Chelsea slipping up thanks to a last-gasp Fulham goal, and Manchester United suffering their fifth defeat in ten matches under their new manager—a result that, while irrelevant to Liverpool’s title ambitions, provided plenty of pre-match amusement for the Anfield faithful. The icing on the cake? Bruno Fernandes’ red card—an exasperated fan shouted, “What a day for football!”
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The banter was flying thick and fast in the Liverpool WhatsApp group, with one jovial supporter cheekily posting, “Some cracking results in the Prem today!” accompanied by a wide-eyed emoji that surely left rival fans reeling in silence. It was clear that no one expected a slip-up from the Reds against one of the league’s lesser sides, and everyone secretly craved a merciful miracle just to serve him a cheeky comeback: “Nothing more delightful than that!” Alas, luck was not on their side.
The mood inside Anfield turned peculiar when Leicester shocked everyone by taking an early lead. Stephy Mavididi delivered an exquisite cross to Jordan Ayew who, with deft precision and a slight deflection off Virgil van Dijk, found the back of Alisson’s net. The collective gasp from the stands resonated—”What on earth? Don’t they know it’s our day?”
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As the match progressed, Slot’s side bombarded the Liverpool box with 27 crosses by the 35th minute but had managed only a solitary shot on target. The fanbase shifted between frustration and disbelief, pondering why Liverpool wasn’t dispatching Leicester with the disdain their league positioning warranted.
Though Liverpool held the lion’s share of possession, Leicester posed a lurking menace, almost breaking through on several occasions with just a touch more accuracy on their passes. The groans of the Anfield crowd formed a soundtrack of shared anxiety.
But just as concerns began to mount, Cody Gakpo delivered a moment of magic: a beautifully curled shot that arched into the far corner of the net. Without the safety net of being four points clear with a game in hand, it felt eerily like those moments in which home crowds turn against their team at half-time. It was a bizarre set of circumstances.
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James Justin was left in the dust as Gakpo deftly navigated around him for his stellar shot, earning him the Man of the Match accolade for a display that left Mohamed Salah, sidelined until then, in his shadow.
Salah eventually got on the scoresheet himself with a characteristic strike—a deft cut-in and a precise shot into the corner—set up impeccably by Gakpo, who turned past two Leicester players before finding the Egyptian wizard unmarked.
Before that goal arrived, Curtis Jones had kicked off the scoring with a slick, first-time finish from an Alexis Mac Allister cross, showcasing the renewed attacking resolve as Slot’s men ramped up the pressure.
From then on, the outcome was never in doubt. Liverpool’s players and fans alike exuded confidence, and even Arne Slot must have recognized the resilience of his side. With a squad teeming with talent, particularly in the attacking ranks, this well-oiled machine is relentless. Even if one star has an off-day, there’s always another ready to shine—this time, it was Cody Gakpo’s turn to deliver.
The anticipation of a potential upset continues to recede as Liverpool’s rampage rolls on. The longer this title chase endures, the more it appears Liverpool can overcome any adversity, even setbacks in personnel. The art of winning has become second nature; anything less feels utterly alien. It’s quite clear—they are on the path to victory, aren’t they?
