If football matches were 77 minutes long, Liverpool supporters would have had a lovely Saturday afternoon.
The Reds had turned in a stellar first half performance against high flying Leicester as they attempted to bounce back from recent defeats to Brighton and Manchester City.
Liverpool nicked the goal their performance had merited just after the hour mark, Roberto Firmino providing a sumptuous assist for Mohamed Salah, who guided the ball home for his 17th in the Premier League already in 2020/21.
Roberto Firmino with a contender for assist of the season ?
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 13, 2021
Mo Salah's finish was top class too, what a beautiful goal for Liverpool! pic.twitter.com/wj0tLvFMH6
That goal was all about Firmino's assist! ?#LEILIV pic.twitter.com/k421z2kawq
— 90min (@90min_Football) February 13, 2021
Bobby’s turn ?????? pic.twitter.com/xpG9ynE5PO
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) February 13, 2021
That was a sexy goal and assist.
— Jessica Black (@itsjessinho) February 13, 2021
So far, so good.
...And then seven of the most chaotic minutes that you could ever wish to see unfolded.
Even Leicester's equaliser was confusing. Harvey Barnes was fouled right on the edge of the box, fell into the box, and a penalty shout was reviewed, with VAR eventually deeming it to be a free kick instead. No matter, James Maddison fired home. This was disallowed for offside because Daniel Amartey was interfering with play... But was he actually interfering with play? Turns out it didn't matter as VAR discovered that he wasn't actually offside. Maybe?
The CANNOT be suggesting Firmino’s foot is the blue line? pic.twitter.com/5Ek5lN4Q8Z
— Top Of The Kop (@TOTKHQ) February 13, 2021
Just three minutes later, Youri Tielemans' hopeful long ball caused mayhem in the Liverpool backline, Ozan Kabak preparing to clear the ball before Alisson - keen to make amends for his mishaps against City last time out - came rushing from his goal in an attempt to do the debutant's work for him.
This did not quite go to plan, the pair both missed the ball and Jamie Vardy was on hand to capitalise and stroke into an empty net.
Leicester turn the game on its head with two goals in the blink of an eye! ?
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 13, 2021
A breakdown in communication at the back and Jamie Vardy pounces! pic.twitter.com/LVooLj3Dtr
Alisson's expression sums it up really... ?#LEILIV pic.twitter.com/T1Gizvc9SJ
— 90min (@90min_Football) February 13, 2021
— Maguire Pointing At Things (@MaguirePointing) February 13, 2021
“Ok Alisson, this time when the ball is crossed in just run straight into Ozan Kabak” pic.twitter.com/c3gkmU5iCZ
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) February 13, 2021
Just... pic.twitter.com/EcY5HjHrM7
— Samantha Quek (@SamanthaQuek) February 13, 2021
Adrian and Karius to Alisson after the last week pic.twitter.com/POUwtctsAx
— Fake Carlton (@_CarltonCole9) February 13, 2021
I just asked Jürgen if he thought Alisson’s feet were cold again. He screamed NOT NOW JAMES.
— Boring James Milner (@BoringMilner) February 13, 2021
Liverpool's backline was then left wanting four minutes later, the lively Barnes the beneficiary as he raced clean through and slotted cooly past Alisson.
I know all the talk is of Grealish, Mount, Foden, Maddison for England but no English attacking midfielder offers what Barnes does. Liverpool couldn't contain him in that second half. Won the free kick for the first and scores the 3rd. Could have had more.
— Rob Tanner (@RobTannerLCFC) February 13, 2021
Liverpool had been comfortably leading and within seven minutes they had completely collapsed - and the good folk of Twitter were left to attempt to comprehend what on earth they had just witnessed.
I'm so confused. What's just happened?
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) February 13, 2021
I need therapy after this
— Em (@EmilyMarrocco_) February 13, 2021
What a crazy stanza of play. Wow! VAR calls, an absolute mess from Alisson and Ozan Kabak all crowned by goals from James Maddison and Jamie Vardy in three mins. Before Harvey Barnes went close and then went all the way. Brilliant from Leicester, bonkers collapse from Liverpool
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) February 13, 2021
Gone in seven minutes that sum up a season. Liverpool ahead and in control before imploding. The quality is still there (in the final two thirds at least), the defensive strength and confidence have gone.
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) February 13, 2021
— Leicester City (@LCFC) February 13, 2021
Second Half Analysis to come ? https://t.co/b11wwlCleO
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) February 13, 2021
Liverpool have Arsenal-ed this up good and proper.
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) February 13, 2021
Put this season in the bin
— Roopa (@LFC_RV) February 13, 2021
And so the finger pointing and the blaming began, with new boy Kabak and summer recruit Thiago Alcantara two of social media's scapegoats for the collapse.
Ozan Kabak’s Premier League debut:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 13, 2021
• 3 goals conceded
• 1 error leading to goal
• 1 yellow card
Not an ideal start... ? pic.twitter.com/SceR8hTHYq
?@LFC have lost 3 successive @premierleague games for the first time since November 2014 (under Brendan Rodgers). pic.twitter.com/aiJGvmsDYZ
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) February 13, 2021
Not an ideal day at the office for Jurgen Klopp's side (his 300th in charge). Can anyone muster a silver lining?
At least Klopp might be right later today when he corrects someone to say it’s 13 points.
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) February 13, 2021
Think this about sums it up Liverpool fans...
— TheKop.com (@TheKop_com) February 13, 2021
Source : 90min
