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Liverpool won for the 17th Premier League match in a row to temporarily move eight points clear at the top following a 2-1 win over Leicester. Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead five minutes before the break with his 50th Premier League goal for the club before James Maddison equalised with 10 minutes remaining. But Liverpool hit back in the dying seconds as Marc Albrighton fouled Mane in the penalty area and James Milner converted from the spot with virtually the last kick of the game. "We had to dig deep and find the points," said Milner, who said he just had to concentrate and stay calm to convert his 16th spot-kick in 18 attempts for Liverpool. "The boys have done it time and time again. There was a few tired legs and it was about getting the result." - ESPN Premier League fantasy: Sign up now!
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- Premier League winter break: All you need to know Jurgen Klopp's men faced a dangerous Leicester at Anfield but ran out winners to underline their title credentials this season, while it was a reality check for the Foxes in their bid for Champions League football. Last season's Champions League winners, who won 4-3 over FC Salzburg in midweek, moved clear at the top with another three points ahead of Manchester City's clash with Wolves on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers returned to Anfield for the first time since he was sacked in October 2015, with Leicester tipped by many as the likeliest team to break into the top four this season. The league's shock champions in 2016 struggled to impose themselves on the match in the early stages as Mohamed Salah tested Kasper Schmeichel after four minutes and then Milner went close but could only fire over at the far post. Leicester gradually imposed themselves on the match but it was Liverpool who took the lead when Milner's superb ball found Mane, who did well to slot past Schmeichel. It should have been 2-0 just before the break but Mane squandered a decent opportunity as Schmeichel denied him. Schmeichel was then alert soon after the restart to make a fine stop from Salah. Leicester struggled in attack and when they finally got in a position to trouble Adrian in the Liverpool goal, Jamie Vardy's poor touch enabled the stand-in keeper to gather the ball without a problem. Klopp's men continued to push for a decisive second and Andrew Robertson went close before Maddison pegged the home side back after superb work from substitute Ayoze Perez. Maddison slipped the ball through Adrian's legs and it looked enough for a point before the dramatic finale as Mane was fouled in the box. Milner stepped up and netted from the penalty spot to send Liverpool clear at the top and ramp up the pressure on Manchester City.
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