Liverpool reveal cracks in Leicester armoury

Christian Benteke celebrates scoring the first goal for Liverpool with team mates - Reuters

Reuters: Cracks finally appeared in Leicester City’s armour as a 10-match unbeaten sequence that propelled them to the top of the Premier League ended in a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday.

The surprise Christmas leaders were subdued and struggled to contain an energetic Liverpool side who deservedly took the points at Anfield courtesy of substitute Christian Benteke’s second-half effort.

It was only Leicester’s second league defeat of the season and the first time they failed to score -- with deadly duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, who have scored 29 of Leicester’s 37 league goals this season, well shackled.

Leicester will have to recover quickly as they host Manchester City on Tuesday, a side Ranieri described as “another big rock” in the way of Leicester’s ambitions.

While Leicester were given a reality check, Liverpool ended a three-game Premier League winless streak during which they fell away in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Saturday’s win, a healthy response to the 3-0 drubbing at Watford last time out, left them five points behind the top four and with plenty to play for.

Liverpool face Sunderland away on Wednesday.