Curtis Jones scored twice as in-form Liverpool brushed aside hapless Leicester to maintain their recent winning streak and move the Foxes one step closer to relegation to the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have won their last seven games to bolster their push to the top four and now sit one point behind Newcastle and Manchester United, despite having played one game more.
Another dismal loss for Leicester leaves the 2016 Premier League champions firmly rooted in danger in 19th, two points from safety with just two games to go.
The Reds scored twice in the space of three minutes in the first half with the same combination, Mohamed Salah twice feeding Jones who finished confidently to claim his first Premier League double.
It should have been 3-0 before half-time, but home goalkeeper Daniel Iversen made a superb reaction save to stop Cody Gakpo from close range.
Salah got his third assist in the second half when he granted a free kick to Trent Alexander-Arnold to complete a sublime finish in the top corner.
Liverpool continue their hunt for the top four
Did Liverpool’s charge for a Champions League place come too late?
The two United States above them need two wins from their last three games to secure a top-four spot, but Liverpool are hot on their heels and ready to take advantage of any mishaps.
The Reds started slowly at Leicester, with Luis Diaz crashing into the side netting and Fabinho flamboyant on the pick of their early openers.
But they clicked on the half-hour mark as midfielder Jones took his tally to three goals in his last four games.
His first was a controlled finish at the far post from Salah’s deep cross and the second he struck home after the Egyptian’s through ball.
Salah provided a hat-trick of assists as he rolled the ball for Alexander-Arnold’s superb second-half strike, but the Egyptian has to wait for his 20th goal of the campaign after a remarkable late miss.
Liverpool take on Aston Villa at home on Saturday and end their season against relegated Southampton knowing maximum points in those games could accomplish a stunning turnaround in an otherwise disappointing season.
More soon.
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