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Byline: By, Sarah Clapson
A valiant effort at Premier League leaders Liverpool failed to yield any points for Leicester City as they fell to a 3-1 defeat on Boxing Day.
Having dropped into the relegation zone earlier in the day when Wolverhampton Wanderers leapfrogged them with victory over Manchester United, City went into the game knowing only a win would be enough to lift them out of the bottom three. A shock looked on the cards but the hosts' dominance eventually paid off.
but goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mo Salah saw the table-toppers come from behind to claim the three points. Below is a look at the national media verdict on City's loss.
BBC
Three straight defeats with a match against a wounded Manchester City next...these are undoubtedly testing times for Leicester City and their new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.
While defeat at leaders Liverpool was hardly surprising, Van Nistelrooy needs to find a solution and get the Foxes winning again.
At least they showed a willingness to fight against Liverpool and they gave the leaders a real scare after taking the lead in the first half before being overrun in the second half.
Van Nistelrooy's first five games in charge have yielded just four points but it will be games against the likes of Crystal Palace on 15 January where the Dutchman will be judged.
Full report, here.
Daily Mail
Leicester, who drop into the bottom three for the first time this season, could at least reflect on a better display after crushing defeats to Newcastle and Wolves, and a solid first half defensive display.
Van Nistelrooy is fast becoming acquainted with the unpleasant and brutal realities of managing what has been a poorly run club. Preparations for this game had included justifiably ditching second choice goalkeeper Danny Ward, after a difficult conversation, and throwing in third choice Jakub Stolarczyk, a Pole who'd known loan spells at Hartlepool and Fleetwood but never -before this -the Premier League. Stolarczyk thrived and was impressive.
For a time, Leicester's counter-attack remained a threat. It got Joe Gomez booked and it brought a first half full of effort from Alexis Mac Allister, looking to sweep up as the others in red shirts buzzed around Leicester's box. The visitors might have scored again had Mavididi not overhit a pass to Patson Daka on another counter. The timing of Gakpo's equaliser, on the stroke of half-time, was brutal for Leicester.
Full report, here.
Sky Sports
You can see what Ruud van Nistelrooy was trying to do. Leicester arrived at Liverpool intent on making this a game, and for the majority of the first half, they did just that.
Leicester had four shots in the opening 10 minutes scoring with their only shot on target, but didn't manage a single attempt for the remainder of the match. The level simply wasn't sustainable as Liverpool moved through the gears.
There is no shame in losing to Liverpool -the Premier League's runaway leaders -and they never went under, as many have against Arne Slot's side, including Spurs last week. But Leicester have now slipped into the relegation zone and have conceded the joint-most goals 40 alongside Wolves in the division. Sharpening up defensively is where Van Nistelrooy needs to concentrate most of his time, or risk dropping further still.
Full report, here.
The Telegraph
Leicester were supposed to be fodder. The strange results across this Premier League season ought to have taught the complacent that nothing is taken for granted.
Van Nistelrooy was a title rival of Slot during their Eredivisie days so it was no surprise he arrived on Merseyside with a gameplan to try to put the brakes on the juggernaut. The conditions offered an assist, too. It is not easy to start in fifth gear in thick fog.
Van Nistelrooy demonstrated his ruthless and pragmatic side to make it more complicated. Ex-Liverpool keeper Danny Ward did not even make the bench after being made scapegoat for the 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. That brought in Pole Jakub Stolarczyk for his Premier League debut. He justified the selection although he knew within two minutes he would be the busiest player, an early double save denying Salah and Jones.
Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard led the retreat into the six-yard box, Leicester's defending a curious combination of the choreographed, courageous and yet slightly unconvincing as ricochets and deflections dropped in their favour. Andrew Robertson headed against the post and Salah struck the crossbar.
And yet there was an attacking method too as Ayew turned and beat Alisson. "We're winning away," was the chant from the away end, underlining their state of disbelief. It did not last.
Full report, here.
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Credit: Getty
Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy shows appreciation to the fans following defeat to Liverpool
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