Wout Faes scored two own goals as Liverpool came from behind to beat Leicester in their final Premier League game of 2022.
The Foxes made the ideal start when they took the lead after just four minutes as poor defending from the hosts allowed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to race through on goal before slotting past Alisson.
What followed was an open and exciting first half with chances for both sides, but Liverpool’s equalizer was extremely fortunate.
With seven minutes to go before the break, Fizz got his boot out to try to push back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross but instead the ball went over goalkeeper Danny Ward and into the back of the net.
It got worse for Fizz and Leicester seconds before the break when the defender again managed to put the ball into the back of his own net, this time firing after Darwin Nunez’s chipped shot deflected off the post.
It was the tonic Liverpool needed and they really should have put the game out of Leicester’s reach in the second half, with Mohamed Salah having a good chance at the post only to beat Ward while Nunez – not for the first time in recent games – Failed to capitalize on a few good opportunities.
In the end, Faes’ two own goals were enough to give Liverpool a victory that moves them to within two points of the top four.
Leicester’s defeat, meanwhile, means they are 13th and four points above the relegation zone.
Fateful night of Fosse
It was a night to forget for the Faes but a night that was very unusual, the Belgian defender has been a huge player for the Foxes since returning on transfer deadline day in September.
He has been a key factor in Leicester’s move down the table and away from the relegation zone but it felt like everything that could go wrong for him did so here.
Faes arguably could have done better for the first goal. If he had missed it, goalkeeper Ward – who had clearly shouted for him to do so – would have had a straightforward collection at his near post, but instead Faes looped the ball past the Wales international. Made the most awkward connections to send.
The second goal, however, was just as unfortunate as Faes’ speed as he ran to get back and clear the line meant that Nunez’s shot bounced back off the post and into his path. There was little he could do.
Fez became only the fourth player to score twice in the same Premier League game, following Jamie Carragher (1999, Liverpool v Manchester United), Michael Proctor (2003, Sunderland v Charlton) and Jonathan Walters (2013, Stoke v Chelsea). are
