Liverpool vs Leicester City: Five things you missed as Mo Salah BREAKS curse

Liverpool needed clear minds on a foggy night at Anfield to overcome a stubborn Leicester City that posed more problems than expected for Arne Slot's side.

Having spent Christmas at the top of the Premier League, the Reds had the opportunity to further increase the gap to second-placed Chelsea, who lost against Fulham earlier in the day.

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Liverpool were heavy favourites but fell behind to an early goal from Jordan Ayew, before a brilliant strike from Cody Gakpo levelled the scores going into half time.

Slot's ability to change games came to the fore once again in the second half as his side were far more controlled and eventually ran out comfortable winners.

Here's what you might have missed from the game.

Curtis Jones scores on his 100th Premier League appearance

Curtis Jones was given the nod ahead of Dominik Szoboszlai in the starting lineup this evening and overcame a poor first half to put Liverpool into the lead after the break following some brilliant build up from his teammates.

Szoboszlai was praised for his attacking performance against Tottenham last time out, but Jones struggled to have a similar impact against Leicester's deep block defence.

However, he stepped his game up in the second half and helped power Slot's side to another Premier League win.

It was Jones' 100th Premier League appearance for the club, and at just 23 he has the opportunity to go on to make another 100+ if he can add consistency to his game.

Szoboszlai suspended for West Ham

Four Liverpool players were in danger of being suspended going into this game - Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Szoboszlai.

The Hungarian came on with just over 10 minutes to go and was booked in what was basically his first involvement after stopping a Leicester counter attack.

It means he will miss the next game against West Ham on Sunday. Slot will be disappointed considering he left Szoboszlai on the bench potentially with one eye on the weekend.

Alexis Mac Allister gets his first assist since March

Liverpool struggled with to create chances in the first half, with far too many crosses being put into the box from deep - a tactic that seemed to suit the opposition defence.

It was frustrating viewing for Reds fans, but Alexis Mac Allister stepped up to get his first assist since March (against Brighton) to set up Gakpo in the first half.

Mac Allister was also on hand to put the ball on a plate for Jones' winner in the second half for his second assist of the game.

Cody Gakpo announces himself as the next Arjen Robben

Former Netherlands star Arjen Robben was known for his ability to cut inside on his left foot and finish into the opposite corner of the goal. No matter what situation he found himself in, you could rely on Robben to force his way inside rather than try to use his right foot.

Gakpo is quickly becoming a right-footed version of Robben for both club and country, with his goal in the first half coming from a situation where he gave Leicester defenders the slip and curled one in from outside the box.

While Jurgen Klopp often opted to play him through the middle, Slot has simplified Gakpo's role and uses him almost exclusively from the left, where he can perfect the ability to cut in on his stronger foot.

Gakpo was one of Slot's best performers throughout the game and looks like the best long-term option on Liverpool's left hand side.

Mo Salah breaks the 'Christmas photo curse'

Every season, Mo Salah posts a celebratory Christmas photo on social media, and fans have noticed that his form often tails off after the photo is posted.

Salah has usually been much more effective in the first half of each of his seasons at Anfield, and it has led to some thinking there is some sort of correlation or curse associated with the Christmas photo.

Opposition fans - especially Arsenal ones - were celebrating on X when the Egyptian, who is a big family man, finally shared his customary photo on Christmas Day, hoping that it will lead to another downturn in form.

But Salah must have other ideas, as he added Liverpool's third goal in another win for Slot's side.

Remember folks, correlation does not equal causation, with Salah proving that point again with a great finish.

EXCLUSIVE: What Mo Salah is telling the club about Darwin Nunez