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All's well that ends well

So, that's where the Liverpool of last season went.

The Liverpool of five goals, defensive errors and missed penalties; the Liverpool that takes its supporters on a helter-skelter ride that should cost more than the £30 ticket fee.

How to analyse that which does not lend itself to analysis.

Referee Anthony Taylor had his role to play in changing the direction of this game, make no mistake. His decision-making rivalled that of Dejan Lovren's in the first half.

(Image: (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images))

At 2-0, it was a languid affair. The Reds were in control. Thrilling attacking play had been married with a real intent to stop Leicester and their abrasive, obvious intent to hit them long and quick.

Then, chaos. If it was initiated by two poor refereeing decisions, it was facilitated by the Reds' desire for a game to never truly be over.

Even after riding out the inevitable storm, restoring their two-goal deficit, Liverpool decided to entertain once more with their kamikaze defending. Simon Mignolet parried high but not wide from Demarai Gray, allowing an unmarked Jamie Vardy to nod home.

If Taylor had made a duo of gaffes to hand Leicester a way back into the game, then here was the defence offering their efforts.

(Image: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images))

Four minutes later – just five after Jordan Henderson had made it 3-1 – Liverpool stared at being hauled back in a game they had looked so untouchable in, conceding a spot kick.

Mignolet should have tried to collect with hands rather than feet, but the decision to award seemed borderline. He made amends by stopping Vardy from 12 yards; his game typified those in front of him.

Sublime, ridiculous and impossible to predict.

And yet Liverpool leave Leicester with three points. Revenge for the cup found, the spring in their step restored. After 10 days to forget, they sit in fifth, behind fourth-placed Tottenham on goal difference alone.

(Image: (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

To complain of the defensive issues in the second half fails to recognise how the game's course changed with a series of poor decisions.

To bemoan the lack of control at 3-1 – that brief moment it was that scoreline – and 3-2 would be to take away what this football team does better than no one.

Out of the chaos emerged the victors. It was a reminder of some of last year's most thrilling wins, with the forward line salivating at times. This, too, with Roberto Firmino suffering a rare off-day.

This is how it is, this is how it will have to be.

For now, all's well that ends well.

Philippe provides Liverpool's fillip

You've heard of Elf on the Shelf. Now get ready for Philippe the fillip.

If Philippe Coutinho's return to Liverpool's first team since the summer of Spanish flirtation has been underwhelming, consider this his true return to form, the fulcrum of this attacking force.

After penning a transfer request to the club in the summer, this was his apology, presented in the shape of an excellent, influential display.

Chosen to operate in the front three – where he showed his best football last season – he tortured those in Leicester blue. There were tricks and flicks, a few stepovers and rollovers, but most of all, a constant threat to the opposition.

(Image: (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

This was the Brazilian nearing something that can be regarded as his emphatic best. His ball to Mo Salah for the opener was sumptuous, his 25-yard free kick into the far corner sublime.

Even without those two telling contributions however, Coutinho put in a real controlling show, with Liverpool looking far more structured in possession because of his presence.

For all the impact of Salah and the pressing of Roberto Firmino, it was Coutinho the constant in the front three, choosing the right ball far more often than not.

(Image: (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

He quietened in the second half as the game lost all reason, but the moments of calm came from his boot once more as he looked to knit midfield with attack.

No surprise he left the pitch, to be replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, to good applause.

Whether this relationship proves to be no more than one of convenience for the coming season remains to be seen, but the reception he received from supporters after his strike indicates he is no longer sleeping on the couch.

That is a dream for Jurgen Klopp and a nightmare to those who come up against him.

Reds captain delivers a breathless effort

(Image: (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

It is often the little things which go unnoticed about Jordan Henderson's play.

A question that surrounds the Liverpool captain when his side struggles revolves around what he contributes; in times of genuine on-field crisis within the 90 minutes, where is the one who wears the armband to lead them to calmer, steadier climes?

That is what was being asked of him once more in the Carabao Cup midweek.

Here was an emphatic answer.

It was Henderson's long-range ball, weighted perfectly, into the path of Alberto Moreno which led to Philippe Coutinho's free kick being awarded.

The phase of play had long passed and it was Coutinho taking the plaudits, but it was his skipper who began the move minutes before.

(Image: Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

There was no chance of his contribution going unnoticed for Liverpool's third, however. It was he who stood, front and centre, in celebration after showing excellent composure to steer home.

Indeed, that it was Henderson who was furthest forward to receive Daniel Sturridge's pass exemplified the breathless effort he conjured, producing a fine performance on both the back and front foot.

The criticism he has faced this season has been overblown, if not founded in fairness. This was a showing that answered the question of what he does with aplomb.

Reds overcome Taylor horror show - just

Forget Groundhog Day, this was a refereeing performance that left Jurgen Klopp Scrooged.

Anthony Taylor's ears will be ringing after this 90 minute performance.

(Image: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images))

It will be forgotten how well Liverpool defended in general against Leicester prior to Shinji Okazaki's deficit reducer.

A few moments from the boot and mind of Dejan Lovren to elicit a wince – as has been all too common when he's played this season – but the Reds dealt with the obvious, pointed threat of the home side.

Once the Foxes received possession, a ball forward was sprung, with both Okazaki and Jamie Vardy looking to split the back four with their searing pace.

Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, in particular, coped well down the right-hand side against the England international and his rapscallion style.

Then, on the stroke of half time, fine margins that all fell towards Leicester. Matip was booked for a trip on the England international, when there looked to be little wrong.

(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.)

From the resulting free kick, Simon Mignolet tipped over from Vardy, but the subsequent corner saw the back line breached.

Mignolet was fouled by Okazaki, Harry Maguire may have used an arm, and the goal was given.

From then on, it became a bitty affair, with the defence's confidence broken.

The shape of the game changed, Taylor would then award a penalty to Leicester which had the German boss scratching his head. That Jordan Henderson spoke to the official as much as his team-mates in the game was telling.

Klopp will not be pleased with how his side defended in the second half – this could have been two dropped points, make no mistake – but he will be less pleased with how control of the game was wrestled away with the toot of a whistle.

Sturridge provides the case for a Russian start

(Image: (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images))

The strength of Liverpool's bench had been one of the noticeable aspects of this side, post transfer window.

The arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, coupled with the return to fitness of Philippe Coutinho, gave the 18 a depth it hadn't experienced in a long while.

And this with Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana still to make their first appearances of the campaign.

It was off the bench which ultimately won this game for Liverpool, and Daniel Sturridge in particular.

The striker was a surprise omission from the squad in the cup tie on Tuesday; a surprised doubled when that was followed with a place as substitute, and no more, four days later. He would have been a short price to start one of these trips to the King Power.

(Image: (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

He did not, and emerged in the second half with a point to prove. Consider it done.

Sturridge is still adapting to the change in his game, his pace now betrayed by those nagging injuries. This has to be a more sagacious Sturridge, one who will pick a lock rather than leap over the wall.

Pick he did when setting up Jordan Henderson for the crucial third goal, and otherwise playing with the nous and sensibility of a veteran striker. His hold-up play and back-to-goal work was superb, even if he efforts on goal were reduced to distance.

As Leicester pushed for the equaliser, he was a constant outlet.

His selection in Moscow should be a no-brainer.