Big day for Gakpo, two assists for Mac Allister. Liverpool player ratings for the match vs Leicester by Dailysports
One of the main differences between Arne Slot’s tactics and Jürgen Klopp’s lies in tempo control. Klopp loved chaos, urging his players to stay active, press high, and create disorder. However, by the end of the season, Liverpool often tired and lost the title to Manchester City.
Slot, on the other hand, teaches his players to control the tempo. When necessary, they burst into full force—like in the match against Tottenham. When the opportunity arises, they play calmly and cautiously. Today was a clear example: Liverpool played conservatively in the first half, struck with intensity and lethality against Leicester City early in the second half, and then ceded initiative, playing in a more measured second tempo.
Could this tempo control lead Liverpool to the title?
Still, let’s focus on the heroes of this match.
Cody Gakpo
Today was Gakpo’s day. His trademark move—cutting inside from the flank and unleashing a powerful shot—is well-known but masterfully executed. His goal today followed the same formula: a sharp shift outside the box, plenty of space, and a strike into the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper no chance.
Gakpo also found the net a second time, but VAR denied it, flagging an offside on Nunez.
Alexis Mac Allister
First, Mac Allister registered two assists today. But his spot among the best players wasn’t just about that. He tallied five defensive actions (second only to Gomez and Van Dijk in a relatively simple match for Liverpool), four ball recoveries, and won eight of 16 duels (only Jordan Ayew bettered him with 10 of 14). His role was also notable: heatmaps revealed that while Curtis Jones operated as a No. 10 on the right flank, Mac Allister mirrored this role on the left.
Mohamed Salah
Reports surfaced today suggesting Salah is on the verge of signing a new Liverpool contract through 2028. It seems he celebrated the news, taking five shots on goal, scoring once, and rattling the crossbar with another effort. Salah also delivered two key passes. His stats showcase that it doesn’t take many chances for him to find the net.
Honorable mentions
Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold deserve recognition for the sheer volume of crosses they delivered—12 for Robertson and a remarkable 17 for Trent. That’s more than some teams manage in a match, although not all were accurate today.
Liverpool player ratings for the match against Leicester
- Trent Alexander-Arnold: 8
- Alisson: 6
- Virgil van Dijk: 8
- Cody Gakpo: 9
- Joe Gomez: 7
- Ryan Gravenberch: 7
- Curtis Jones: 8
- Harvey Elliott: — (played too little, not rated)
- Wataru Endo: 5
- Diogo Jota: 6
- Alexis Mac Allister: 8
- Darwin Núñez: 7
- Andrew Robertson: 7
- Mohamed Salah: 8
- Dominik Szoboszlai: 6
- Kostas Tsimikas: 5
Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
