Liverpool Edge Leicester with Alexander-Arnold’s Late Strike, Near Premier League Title

Alexander-Arnold’s Golden Moment Keeps Liverpool Charging

You couldn’t script a better return for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Just five minutes after coming off the bench, the Liverpool defender hammered home a left-footed volley to break Leicester hearts and keep his club’s title dreams roaring. This was no tap-in—the ball pinballed around Leicester’s penalty area before falling perfectly for Alexander-Arnold on his weaker side. The shot, crisply struck from an awkward angle, arrowed past a forest of bodies and into the net. You could feel the relief as much as the joy from Liverpool’s travelling fans inside King Power Stadium.

The moment felt bigger than one goal. Alexander-Arnold has only just recovered from injury, spending weeks on the sidelines, and his arrival in the 71st minute was a calculated risk. Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new boss, gambled by sending him on instead of keeping Connor Bradley, and the move paid off almost instantly. This was the England international’s first goal since his return, and its timing couldn’t be better in a season that’s gone down to the wire.

Liverpool were up against a Leicester side giving everything to avoid the drop. The Foxes needed a win just to keep slim hopes of survival alive, and the desperation was obvious in every tackle and shot. Ricardo Pereira charged up and down the right, while Ademola Lookman came agonizingly close to turning the match upside down, striking the post when Alisson seemed beaten. Another tight moment saw a tussle between Ricardo and a Liverpool defender in the box—Leicester wanted a penalty, but the ref waved play on, much to their frustration.

Title Within Sight for Reds, Heartbreak for Foxes

Heading into this match, all eyes were on whether Liverpool could keep their cool, especially after a nervy run of games and Arsenal’s earlier win over Ipswich keeping the pressure up. Slot made two subtle tweaks to his lineup, swapping in Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai. Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones were sacrificed for fresh legs, while Darwin Núñez made his way back to the bench as a late option.

While the first half was tight and tense, Liverpool slowly squeezed more control as the second period dragged on. Leicester had their moments—they weren’t going down without a fight—but Liverpool’s back line, marshaled by Virgil van Dijk, held firm. And when Alexander-Arnold delivered, the sense of a mission almost accomplished grew palpable on the pitch and in the stands.

This win puts Liverpool on 79 points through 33 games, with just three more needed from their last five to get their hands on that elusive Premier League trophy again. But the arithmetic isn’t even that simple—if Arsenal slip up against Crystal Palace on April 24, Liverpool could start celebrating before kicking another ball. That pressure will be felt at both ends of the table.

For Leicester, the night couldn’t have been more crushing. Their defeat confirmed their relegation to the Championship. From title contenders and Premier League champions in 2016 to heartbreak on a rainy April night—it’s a sobering moment for the Foxes. Liverpool players, by contrast, disappeared down the tunnel with relief and excitement, knowing their Premier League coronation is now just a matter of timing. And if anyone doubted Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ability to change games, this match was a timely reminder of the impact a single moment can have in a season defined by such fine margins.