Liverpool's remarkable second-half record continues in Leicester win

Liverpool continued their run of keeping a clean sheet in every second half so far in 2023/24, with the 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Leicester City on Wednesday night.

The Reds saw a familiar story unfold as they conceded an early opener to Enzo Maresca's Championship toppers at Anfield. However, they rallied in the second half, with Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota sealing the win and a date with Bournemouth in the fourth round.

Unbeaten in all competitions since April, the game marked Liverpool's seventh consecutive win and, curiously, fourth 3-1 scoreline in a row.

Even more remarkably, it is now the fifth time this season that Jurgen Klopp's side have given up the first goal but still gone on to win the game – following similar results against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Wolves and LASK.

READ MORE: 4 talking points from Liverpool's 3-1 win over Leicester City 

Speaking after the game, Klopp acknowledged the bizarre pattern that followed his team despite many changes to the lineup, but hailed a 'top night'.

"Yeah, that will probably be kind of a headline a little bit that we are again 1-0 down, but again a completely different goal to all the others," Klopp said, via Liverpoolfc.com.

"We have to really stay positive and not really chasing the game, just playing the game – and that's what the boys did. Minute by minute, we grew into that game and it was a top performance, to be honest.

"With all the quality of Leicester, we have to admit that as well, super-coached team obviously, super set-up, you can pretty much see, feel and smell the confidence they have because of their situation, so that made life difficult. But we kept going and improved during the game as a team clearly but individually as well, a lot of performances stepped up and here we are, and I like that a lot.

"[We scored] top goals, absolutely top goals. How I said, now looking back, a top night for us because you look at Wataru, how he grew into the game and how dominant he was in the second half, how he really won the balls, passed the ball. I'm not sure it was the last pass before Dom scores but for sure probably he passed the ball through the lines again, what he did quite frequently. That was really, really good, he played a super game.

"Jarell Quansah, not only playing outstandingly well, setting a goal up. So exciting, you cannot watch him without smiling, to be honest. It's really, really nice to see."

Game of two halves

While there are certainly questions to be raised by the consistency with which Liverpool give away opening goals, the Reds' resilience and fight to come back from losing positions has been nothing short of impressive.

Despite some slow starts, Klopp's side have been totally dominant in the second half of matches this season and are yet to even concede after the break – with the latest strike against Liverpool, so far, coming from Jarrod Bowen on 42 minutes.

Across eight games in all competitions in 2023/24, Liverpool's second-half score reads: 15-0.

That stands in stark contrast to a much less impressive first-half score of: 6-7.

Klopp's side travel for a date with Ange Postecoglou's in-form Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening for what promises to be their toughest test of the season yet.

READ MORE: Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool – Match Preview

They will have to be wary of pushing their luck too far with regards to the recent pattern, with James Maddison and Son Heung-min among the best attackers Liverpool are likely to face this season.

However, whatever happens, Klopp will be confident that his side can score their way out of danger.