Liverpool vs Leicester player ratings: Jota 8, Fabinho 7; Amartey 6, Daka 3

Jota double secures 2-0 win for Liverpool at Anfield

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 7. The Brazilian made a good stop from Maddison in the first half and was a calming influence throughout. He had a quieter night than might have been expected. AFP

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7. The 23-year-old was a constant threat, even though he mislaid a few of his passes. His corner led to the opening goal. EPA

Joel Matip – 8. The 30-year-old was in fine form and gave Daka and then Iheanacho no leeway. He eased into midfield with the ball when the chance came and set up the second goal. AFP

Virgil van Dijk – 8. The Dutchman looked sharp. He was quick, resolute and snuffed out danger before it developed. His header led to the opening goal. PA

Andrew Robertson – 7. The Scot drove down the line with purpose and linked nicely with Diaz. He came close to getting on the end of a dangerous cross. PA

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Fabinho (L) shakes hands with Leicester City's Northern Irish manager Brendan Rodgers on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on February 10, 2022. - Liverpool won the game 2-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Thiago Alcantara – 7. The 30-year-old never let Leicester settle and produced some fine tackles. His passing was top-notch and he fired an acrobatic shot just wide. EPA

Curtis Jones – 5. The 21-year-old was slack on the ball in his own half and was not as effective as usual in his dribbling. He was replaced by Elliott in the 59th minute. EPA

Diogo Jota – 8. The Portuguese started on the right but was most productive when he drifted into the central areas and he switched inside on the hour. Both his goals were taken with a poacher’s relish. AP Photo

Roberto Firmino – 6. The Brazilian produced some fine link play but gave away possession too often. He made way for Salah with half-an-hour to go. PA

Luis Diaz – 7. The Colombian excelled on his full debut. He pressed with vigour and showed signs of a good understanding with Robertson. EPA

SUB: Harvey Elliott – 7. The 18-year-old came on for Jones in the 59th minute and showed ambition and intelligence in another encouraging display. EPA

SUB: Mohamed Salah – 8. The Egyptian entered the fray in the 60th minute for Firmino and hit the bar with a swerving shot and tested Schmeichel after a classy bit of skill in the box. He showed no signs of tiredness on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. EPA

SUB: Takumi Minamino – 5. The Japanese was introduced in the final minute, primarily so Diaz could get a rousing round of applause from the Anfield crowd. Reuters

LEICESTER RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel – 6. The Dane made a number of saves to keep Liverpool at bay. The best of them was in a one-on-one situation with Salah. Without him the scoreline would have been uglier. EPA

James Justin – 5. The 23-year-old had his hands full with Diaz and Robertson. He battled manfully but was forced onto the back foot. EPA

Daniel Amartey – 6. The Ghanaian was solid at the heart of the back line. He won a number of headers and threw his body in front of the ball. He seemed totally confused at the corner for the first goal. AP Photo

Wilfred Ndidi – 4. The midfielder was deployed in defence and lost Van Dijk for the opening goal and was sucked out of position on the second. In between he did well but was found wanting when it mattered. Getty Images

Luke Thomas – 4. The 20-year-old's passing was scattergun and he struggled with Liverpool’s movement and pace. He was always a yard behind the attackers. AP Photo

Boubakary Soumare – 3. Not a good night for the Frenchman. He was picked on by the Liverpool midfield who pressed him relentlessly. He was replaced by Tielemans on the hour. AP Photo

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 4. The 23-year-old got on the ball but was unable to make his possession productive. His mistake allowed Salah a big chance. AP Photo

Marc Albrighton – 5. The 32-year-old tried to help out against Robertson but was left trailing by the Scot. He was unable to get anything going offensively. AP Photo

James Maddison – 6. The 25-year-old was his side's biggest threat but needed his teammates to offer more options. He showed touches of class but not enough of them. AP Photo

Ademola Lookman – 5. The 24-year-old is skilful but found too many blind alleys. He set up Maddison’s chance but needs to be more incisive. He made way for Barnes with 11 minutes to go. AFP

Patson Daka – 3. The Zambian was out of his depth against Van Dijk and Matip. It was no surprise when he was taken off for Iheanacho on the hour. AFP

SUB: Youri Tielemans – 4. The Belgian replaced Soumare with 30 minutes remaining but barely improved the side. His touch and passing were imprecise. Reuters

SUB: Kelechi Iheanacho – 4. The Nigerian joined the action for Daka in the 60th minute. He sent in a poor cross on a promising attack and found it hard to get on the ball. AFP

SUB: Harvey Barnes – 5. The 24-year-old was given the last 11 minutes at Lookman’s expense. He was the brightest of the substitutes during his short cameo. AFP

Diogo Jota scored twice to reach the 100-goal mark for his club career and give Liverpool a 2-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League.

Jota has now scored in 18 different Premier League games for Liverpool, of which the Reds have won 15 and drawn three, and he is proving an integral part of the club’s challenge on four fronts.

His first on Thursday took him into three figures for his career, the second late on was his eighth against Leicester.

Mohamed Salah made his return after losing the Africaa Cup of Nations final with Egypt and came off the bench to a loud ovation.

By then the home side had been leading for 24 minutes courtesy of Jota’s close-range strike after Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel could only parry Virgil van Dijk’s header.

The Portugal international has more than played his part over the last couple of months, scoring 12 in last 16 appearances, and his Premier League tally of 12 this season is only four behind Salah.

But Salah could have had a hat trick within 20 minutes of coming on had he not been denied by two good Schmeichel saves and the angle of crossbar and post.

January signing Luis Diaz took Salah's place in the starting line-up for his full debut and produced an encouraging display but was also denied his first goal for the club by Schmeichel.

The win keeps second-place Liverpool nine points behind leaders Manchester City, with one game in hand.