5 talking points as Trent Alexander-Arnold fires Liverpool closer to title win (2025)

LEICESTER 0-1 LIVERPOOL: A goal from substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold took Arne Slot and Co. closer to winning the Premier League title and confirmed the Foxes' relegation

Trent Alexander-Arnold marked his return to action for Liverpool with a belting goal to put them on the brink of winning the Premier League title. The Reds right-back, who's expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, rifled home in the second half after Arne Slot turned to him for inspiration.

Alexander-Arnold wasted no time to light up a drab affair, one which confirmed Leicester's relegation. Ruud van Nistelrooy's side needed to win but suffered their ninth successive defeat at home without scoring.

Liverpool supporters hoped to go into the game knowing that victory would confirm their 20th league title, but Arsenal had other ideas. The Gunners cruised to a 4-0 win away to 10-man Ipswich earlier the day, meaning that the champagne will have to stay in the fridge on Merseyside for at least a few more days.

Here are five talking points from the King Power Stadium.

1. First-half frustrations continue for Liverpool fans

Having only had the Premier League to focus on for the last month, Liverpool's performances, particularly in the first half of games, have been markedly less impressive. Slot has been quick to remind journalists and pundits that, going into Sunday's game, the Reds had won five of their last six league matches - and rightly so.

But supporters have been critical of their displays in recent weeks and despite 14 attempts on goal in the first half, they weren't happy here. "Sleepwalking again," one fan posted on X." Pedestrian," another bemoaned.

The best chance of the half fell to Mo Salah inside the first two minutes but he hit both posts after looking certain to score. Leicester looked a threat going forwards, seemingly buoyed by last weekend's 2-2 comeback at Brighton, and were searching for their first league goal at home since December.

Wilfred Ndidi hit the post with a long-range effort in the 10th minute, although Van Nistelrooy's side could only muster one more shot before half-time. It was goalless - and lifeless - at the break.

2. Mac Allister the bright spark - but midfield question lingers

Before the season started, Liverpool's midfield was the main area of concern. How would they cope without a recognised No.6? Should they have signed an alternative to £51million transfer target Martin Zubimendi?

Well, Alexis Mac Allister and his partner, Ryan Gravenberch, have allayed those fears. In a half sorely lacking quality in two end thirds, it was Mac Allister who dominated the midfield.

The Argentina international had created the most chances (three), won the most duels (five) and made the most tackles (three) of any player on the pitch by half-time. The question is, does Liverpool's midfield still need adding to?

Do Liverpool need to sign a midfielder this summer? Have your say in the comments section.

3. Gakpo's goal drought goes on

Where's Cody Gakpo put his shooting boots? Over the winter, the Dutch forward was banging in the goals but now hasn't scored for Liverpool since February 6.

His solitary strike since then came for the Netherlands against Spain in the Nations League quarter-finals last month. You have to go even further back to find Gakpo's last Premier League goal, as he struck twice against Ipswich on January 25.

The former PSV Eindhoven star only lasted an hour at the King Power, with Slot making the changes minutes after Ricardo Pereira blocked Gakpo's goal-bound shot. Diogo Jota came on in his place, having scored nine goals against Leicester in his previous 14 games.

4. Alexander-Arnold returns in style

For the first time since a surge of reports claimed that Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Real Madrid, the defender stepped out onto the pitch for his boyhood club for his 350th appearance. In what could prove to be one of his final games for Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold returned from an injury which kept him out of the Reds' previous four games, including the Carabao Cup final.

His introduction alongside Harvey Elliott came shortly after Leicester had a goal ruled out. Conor Coady prodded home after Alisson Becker failed to deal with an aerial ball, but it was disallowed due to a foul on the Liverpool goalkeeper by Patson Daka.

Alexander-Arnold didn't take long to make an impact, having won a corner when his cross was blocked by Luke Thomas. After a goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to Liverpool's No.66 and he belted a left-footed strike on the bounce through a crowd of red and blue shirts and through Mads Hermansen.

Taking his shirt off and celebrating passionately in front of the away end, you could see what it meant to Alexander-Arnold, who was booked after celebrating the first left-footed goal of his career. Leicester appealed vehemently for a foul but the goal stood.

5. Leicester's relegation confirmed

They needed a miracle and it never came. Leicester will play in the Championship next season after becoming the second team after Southampton to have their relegated.

Van Nistelrooy has already admitted that the Foxes are planning for the future but this game will've given him some encouragement for a potential promotion push in 2026. There's now only one relegation spot remaining which Ipswich will almost certainly fill in the coming weeks.

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