Harvey Barnes seals win for the Foxes as Liverpool collapse in seven-minute turnaround at the King Power Stadium

Leicester City climbed into second place, six points ahead of visitors Liverpool as James Maddison, Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes completed a jaw-dropping 3-1 comeback at the King Power Stadium.

The English trio for Leicester City ensured that Liverpool suffered a fifth defeat in their last seven games despite Mohamed Salah giving the away side the lead. Three goals in seven second half minutes was enough to claim all three points amidst another Alisson mistake contributing towards the defeat.

Harvey Barnes took centre stage for Leicester City as he proved to be a handful all afternoon, the English continuing to burst forward and create space for oncoming players. The Burnley-born winger helped defensively as he doubled up on Salah before converting Leicester’s third goal of the game late in the game.

Liverpool dominated the early stages of the game as Salah looked back to his best as he found himself free a number of times but was unable to provide the finishing touch as Kasper Schmeichel was able to smother away any attempt on goal.

The returning Jamie Vardy was bright during the first interval as he tested Alisson with an early header from a Barnes cross. Later in the half, the former England international was set on his way by Maddison but the 34-year-old struck the crossbar as Jordan Henderson did his most to put off the Leicester striker.

Vardy came close moments later as Alisson was forced to make a save with his feet to deny the striker, although replay suggested he may have been marginally offside. The half petered out as Leicester had the better chances with Liverpool having only scored once in the first half of their last eight fixtures.

Alexander-Arnold came close at the start of the second half as he struck the woodwork from a free-kick 25-yards away from goal. The England international was also involved in the first goal of the game as he pulled back his pass to Roberto Firmino who beautifully flicked the ball backwards to tee up Salah. The Egyptian opened his body out and guided his side-footed effort into the far corner of the goal.

The ship started to sink for Liverpool when Thiago Alcantara brought down Barnes on the edge of the box. Maddison’s subsequent free-kick punished the visitors as he found the bottom corner of Alisson’s net. There was a lengthy check over an offside decision that was dismissed as Firmino’s trailing foot kept Daniel Amartey onside  with the Ghanian defender therefore ruled as not impeding the ‘keeper’s view.

In a matter of three minutes, the Foxes found themselves in the lead as Youri Tielemans’ diagonal pass for Barnes caused a monumental mix-up between the onrushing Alisson and debutant Ozan Kabak. The two collided to allow Vardy to nip in and accept the gift as he slotted the ball into an empty net.

Brendan Rodgers’ side sealed all three points when Wilfred Ndidi unleashed Barnes behind Liverpool’s defence with his shot finding the bottom right-hand corner, completing a three-goal turnaround in just seven minutes.

Harvey Barnes settles it ?

Leicester City leave Liverpool stunned with three goals in six minutes! pic.twitter.com/NDshsdHVOE

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 13, 2021

Barnes provided a constant threat down the left-hand side all afternoon with attacking full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving a lot of vacant space for the English winger to exploit, especially in the second half. As well as his attacking prowess, Barnes did very well defensively as he doubled up with Ricardo Pereira in the bid to stop Liverpool’s Salah.

The 23-year-old claimed himself a goal as well as the man of the match trophy as he continued his exhilarating form this season. Barnes has already beaten his tally of last season with eight goals in 13 fewer appearances thus far.

Leicester manager Rodgers spoke highly of the youngster after the game, praising his willingness to run and fight as the final 15 minutes. The performance optimised Barnes’ impact this season as he produced two key passes before killing the game as he scored Leicester’s third and final goal.

Rodgers said: “I thought he was absolutely brilliant. The guys need huge credit as our plan was to go to the diamond with Harvey up front with Vards if they were chasing the game.

“It gives you that attacking thrust when you have the ball and so we could break through into the space. Barnesy finished his goal so well and that’s been the biggest development in his game. He looks like he can score in every game he plays.”

England manager Gareth Southgate was watching from the stands with a keen eye on James Maddison and Harvey Barnes as both vie for a spot in England’s Euro 2021 squad this summer. Southgate will have a selection headache if Barnes’ fine form continues with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho already likely to be selected.

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