Opinion

A potential reason for Liverpool’s fantastic performance v Leicester

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Liverpool’s performance was brilliant as they hammered Leicester City on Thursday 4-0. It was, arguably, their best game of the season. But why now, against one of the Premier League’s best?

The Reds were sensational. Going forward, they scored four and yet could have had more. They controlled the midfield wonderfully, holding onto possession and limiting Leicester’s chances. And that translated into defence, too, as Leicester didn’t even have a shot on target.

Liverpool v Leicester City
Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

It was Liverpool’s best performance of the season and it came away at Leicester, the team in second. Now, that doesn’t really add up – but we think we know the reason.

We pointed out after the Club World Cup final that Liverpool would have a five-day rest. That’s their longest rest since the middle of last month.

But we phrased that piece as ‘why fans don’t have to worry about poor performances’. On this showing, it’s more than that, though. Not only should Liverpool fans not worry but rivals should be terrified.

The Reds looked fresher than they have in a long time and as fluent as they have all season. That is surely down to the rest they had. And that’s with only five days rest after a hectic period, too – they should get even more opportunities to rest as the season goes on.

Liverpool celebrate after their brilliant performance against Leicester City
Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

And they should, in theory, get more fluent, too. This may not even be the Reds at their peak and if that’s true, they’ll absolutely coast to the title.

They’re top by 13 points and only now, with a bit of rest under their belts and the season halfway done, are we seeing them dominate a side.

If this was a sign of things to come, the title is surely heading to Anfield.