Liverpool took a monumental step toward securing their 20th English top-flight title, defeating a battling Leicester City 1-0 at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, a result that confirmed the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s stunning 76th-minute half-volley proved the difference, as the Reds maintained their 13-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with just five matches remaining.
Under the stewardship of Arne Slot, Liverpool showcased their championship credentials in a tightly contested affair. Despite Leicester’s desperate fight for survival, the visitors’ relentless pressure and clinical finishing ultimately prevailed. The match, played in front of a passionate but increasingly despondent home crowd, encapsulated the stark contrast between the two sides’ fortunes this season.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with Leicester, managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy, adopting a compact 5-2-2-1 formation to frustrate Liverpool’s attacking flair. Jamie Vardy, leading the line for the Foxes, nearly capitalized on a rare defensive lapse from Ibrahima Konaté, but his effort was thwarted by an alert Alisson Becker.
Liverpool, fielding a strong lineup including Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Luis Díaz, dominated possession but struggled to break through Leicester’s resolute defense. Szoboszlai’s low drive from 20 yards was brilliantly saved by Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, while Diogo Jota, starting up top, headed wide from a pinpoint Szoboszlai cross. The Reds’ 20 shot attempts in the first half underscored their dominance, but the scoreline remained goalless at the break.
The second half saw Liverpool ramp up the intensity, with Slot urging his side to exploit the flanks. Leicester, aware of their do-or-die situation, showed flashes of resilience. Wilfried Ndidi struck the post with a curling effort, and a potential Leicester goal was disallowed for a foul on Alexis Mac Allister, much to the frustration of the home fans, who also voiced their discontent with “Sack the Board” chants.
The turning point came in the 76th minute. Alexander-Arnold, introduced as a substitute after a six-week injury layoff, latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a ferocious left-footed half-volley that rocketed past Hermansen. The strike, his first-ever left-footed goal for Liverpool, sparked wild celebrations among the traveling supporters and silenced the King Power faithful.
Leicester pushed for an equalizer, with substitute Facundo Buonanotte firing wide in the dying moments, but Liverpool’s defense, marshaled by Virgil van Dijk, held firm. The final whistle confirmed Leicester’s fate, marking their second relegation in three seasons and ending a dismal campaign that saw them win just four of 33 Premier League matches.
Arne Slot, while delighted with the result, remained focused on the bigger picture. “We’re not thinking about the title yet,” he said. “It was a tough game, and Leicester fought hard. We need to stay sharp for the next one.” Slot’s pragmatic approach was echoed by Alexander-Arnold, who dedicated his goal to the fans. “It’s been a long road back from injury, and to score in a game like this feels special,” he told Sky Sports.
For Leicester, the defeat was a bitter pill. Van Nistelrooy, whose future at the club is uncertain, lamented missed opportunities. “We gave everything, but it wasn’t enough. The boys showed heart, but we’ve struggled all season,” he admitted. The Foxes’ relegation ends a turbulent return to the Premier League, with fans now bracing for another Championship rebuild.
Liverpool’s victory moves them to 76 points, and while Arsenal’s earlier 4-0 win over Ipswich prevented the Reds from clinching the title on Sunday, Slot’s side are now just one win away from mathematical certainty. A victory against Tottenham at Anfield next Sunday could seal the championship, regardless of Arsenal’s result against Crystal Palace midweek.
For Leicester, the focus shifts to planning for the Championship. With just 18 points from 33 matches and a goal difference deficit too vast to overcome, the 2015-16 Premier League champions face a challenging road ahead.