Liverpool extend lead with Leicester draw but miss chance after City loss

Liverpool capitalised on Manchester City's defeat earlier this week, but not in the way they would have wanted as they drew 1-1 with Leicester to extend their lead to five points at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool took the lead within two minutes, before Leicester had barely touched the ball, as Sadio Mane drove into the box after a good passing move to finish low into the bottom corner.

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel then saved well after some incredible close control from Roberto Firmino saw the Brazilian create room for a shot. And Mane headed wide when he should have done better from the resulting corner.

A poor pass from Alisson put Jordan Henderson, playing at right-back, in danger and he was lucky not to concede a penalty for a tangle with James Maddison, though replays showed it was outside the box anyway.

Liverpool controlled possession and Xherdan Shaqiri almost broke through, but Alisson almost gave Leicester an opening again.

The goalkeeper's clearance was nearly charged down and Maddison headed wide from inside the six-yard box after a fine cross from Marc Albrighton.

Andrew Robertson then sprayed a glorious pass through to Mane just before half-time but Harry Maguire pulled him back around the halfway line and was lucky to escape with just a booking, given he was the last man.

And Maguire made Liverpool pay with the equailser in the second minute of first half stoppage time. After a free kick wasn't cleared, the ball was played back into the Liverpool area by Ben Chilwell and Maguire appeared behind the defence to stab home.

The Anfield groundstaff cleared only half the snow away from the pitch at the break -- at the end that Liverpool were attacking in the second period -- but Leicester almost took the lead as a free kick was headed back across goal and Alisson had to deflect Firmino's miskick away from goal.

Liverpool had a shout for a penalty as Naby Keita burst into the box and was toppled by Ricardo before he could shoot, but the referee did not blow his whistle.

Demarai Gray was presented with a golden chance but opted to shoot straight at Alisson rather than square for an unmarked Maddison.

At the other end, Firmino's quick feet opened up some room but, the same as he did in the first half, he shot at Schmeichel who saved well.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge handled the ball when Liverpool had a good chance to break and Hamza Choudhury stopped Mane on another burst with a wonderful sliding tackle.

Mane had a late header well over the bar but the game slipped away from Liverpool and, while they extended their lead over City by another point, it could be a chance missed.