Is Leicester City Back To Their Best?

The post-Claudio Ranieri era began in sensational style as the Leicester of last season turned up in a surprise 3-1 win over Liverpool on Monday. The Foxes looked like title contenders once again and moved out of the relegation zone, while caretaker Craig Shakespeare certainly did his chances of getting the job on a permanent basis no harm whatsoever.

Leicester looked a totally different team from the fearful, disjointed one under Ranieri over the past few months. The reason for that is arguably more down to a change in attitude rather than just personnel. Jamie Vardy scored two typical poacher’s goals, making it three in his past two outings following a 12-hour drought, while Danny Drinkwater’s sensational strike rea

Almost none, aside from the obvious lack of clean sheet. It was the perfect night and exactly what the Foxes needed after unexpectedly axing Ranieri — a decision that was instantly vindicated.

Manager rating out of 10

8 — Shakespeare could easily keep the job until the end of the season and potentially be an even longer-term contender. He chose to revert back to a simple, counter-attacking 4-4-2 formation and wisely started Shinji Okazaki to ensure energy levels in the final third remained high. Ultimately it was still Ranieri’s team that finally got the much-needed victory, but it was clear the players desperately wanted to get a result for their caretaker, further illustrating he’s the right dressing-room leader for the club right now.

Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Kasper Schmeichel, 8 — Stayed tall to deny Philippe Coutinho early on at his near post and also made a smart save from Adam Lallana.

DF Danny Simpson, 8 — Dealt with Coutinho extremely well. Made sure he wasn’t sucked too wide thus allowing him the chance to offer constant protection to Robert Huth and Wes Morgan in the box.

DF Robert Huth, 7 — Won a number of headers in the Liverpool box, including one at the back post that was uncontested and he should have done a little better with.

DF Wes Morgan, 7 — Slid in with a vital inception to deny Joel Matip a tap-in with the scores goalless following a flurry of patient Liverpool passes.

DF Christian Fuchs, 7 — Caused havoc with his long throw and policed Sadio Mane very well. Perhaps a little sluggish for Coutinho’s consolation, though.

MF Marc Albrighton, 7 — Unleashed a pinpoint pass to set Vardy free for the opening goal. Just a shame he couldn’t create a little more from set pieces.

MF Danny Drinkwater, 8 — Scored a 25-yard screamer to double Leicester’s lead. The goal was reminiscent of Lilian Nalis’ wonder-strike against Leeds in 2003, although Nalis did hit his shot on the full and from a touch further out. Could have had a second, too, but failed to hit the target from Riyad Mahrez’s cutback.

MF Wilfred Ndidi, 7 — Combative, composed and clearly up for the fight. Exactly the type of player Leicester need if they’re to get out of trouble.

MF Riyad Mahrez, 7 — Did brilliantly to keep the attack going down the left, interchanging with Fuchs in the build-up to Leicester’s third. A quiet night for the first hour but made his mark after that.

FW Shinji Okazaki, 7 — Saw a deft first-half header saved, but was brought back into the side for his energy not goals and didn’t disappoint.

FW Jamie Vardy, 9 — Scuffed a close-range effort that Simon Mignolet did well to block, but regained his composure 10 minutes later to give Leicester a thoroughly deserved lead, then helped himself to a second with a clinical header.

Substitutes

MF Demarai Gray, NR — Replaced Mahrez late on and his fresh legs were very welcome down the stretch. Had one jinking run but lost his footing at the vital moment.

DF Ben Chilwell, NR — Came on for Albrighton to wind down the clock.