Playing their first match after unceremoniously sacking coach Claudio Ranieri, Leicester City dismantled Liverpool 3-1 at the King Power Stadium in their English Premier League game on Monday night.

A well-taken brace from Jamie Jardy and a wonder strike from Danny Drinkwater had put the hosts three goals to the good before Philippe Coutinho managed to notch what was ultimately a consolation strike for Jurgen Klopp’s side.  

Under the watchful eyes of caretaker managers Craig Shakespeare and Mike Stowell, the Foxes went ahead in the 28th minute thanks to Vardy, with a classic counter-attacking goal reminiscent of their glorious 2015-16 season.

Marc Albrighton’s first-time pass went between Joel Matip and Lucas Leivaand once the striker was away, it was impossible for the duo to catch him and he cooly finished past Simone Mignolet to score, remarkably, Leicester’s first league goal of 2017.

The Foxes had been threatening Mignolet’s goal, with Shinji Okazaki and Vardy coming close to scoring but Liverpool seemed sluggish and refused to heed the warning.

And the home side doubled their lead 11 minutes later when James Milner’s headed clearance went straight to Drinkwater, who let it bounce once before unleashing an pile-driver of a shot which left Mignolet with no chance whatsoever.

Starting the second half where they left the first, Leicester were dominant in all areas of the pitch and looked dangerous every time they got the ball while Liverpool seemed content with controlling possession. 

The Reds paid for their insipid playing style when Chrstian Fuchs and Riyad Mahrez toyed with their markers on the left flank before the full-back sent in an inviting cross for Vardy to head home on the hour-mark.

The tie was over then and both teams knew it and even when Coutinho pulled one back for the Reds, a famous comeback never looked like it was on the cards.

The win comes at the best possible time for Leicester, who rise up to 15th in the table, two points above the drop zone. It does confirm rumours that Ranieri was the victim of a dressing-room revolt as such a dramatic turnaround can only mean that the Italian had lost the confidence of his players.
Speaking of confidence, the mood in the Liverpool camp must be low as they remain in 5th place, just one point ahead of arch-rivals Manchester United (who also have a game in hand) and are very much in danger of missing out on the Champions League spots if they continue to underperform like this.

Klopp’s tactics are clearly misfiring and he needs to steady the rocking ship fast as the Reds are close to imploding as the business end of the season nears.