Liverpool top Leicester City on Jota’s double

Sports Desk, Feb 10 (EFE).- Diogo Jota accounted for all the goals Thursday as Liverpool defeated Leicester City 2-0 to narrow the gap to Premier League leaders Manchester City.

The Reds improved to 51 points, 9 fewer than the defending champions, but with a game in hand. Leicester are 12th in the table with 26 points.

Thursday’s contest at Anfield marked the Premier League debut of Liverpool’s headline signing of the winter transfer window, Luis Diaz.

Days after contributing an assist in the Reds’ win over Cardiff City in an FA Cup tie, the Colombian international played 89 minutes and forced a pair of saves from Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

But the spotlight belonged to Jota, who opened the scoring in the 34th minute, smashing in the rebound after Schmeichel stopped Virgil van Dijk’s header off a corner.

While the hosts created plenty of additional chances, Schmeichel denied Mohamed Salah twice and Trent Alexander-Arnold fired over the cross-bar before Jota sealed the victory with a goal in the 87th minute.

Joel Matip passed to the Portuguese striker and he went for goal with his first touch. The Leicester keeper got a hand on the ball, but Jota’s shot was too powerful. EFE msg/dr