The Reds are six lengths behind City, who can soar to the top of the Premier League if they win at Brendford on Wednesday (9.15pm), but keep their second place tied on points with Chelsea (3rd), which they face Sunday.

Irresistible until mid-December, Jürgen Klopp's players recorded their second consecutive poor performance after a draw at Tottenham (2-2 on December 19).

The executioner of the Reds, Ademola Lookman, who was not on the field at kick-off, only needed two minutes to make the difference when he came into play (1-0, 59th).

Previously, the Reds had three opportunities to take control of the game, with a missed penalty from Salah (14th), another attempt deflected by Kasper Schmeichel (32nd) and a shot off target from Sadio Mané, yet in an ideal position (55th).

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah sees his penalty stopped by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in Leicester on December 28, 2021 Lindsey Parnaby AFP

Apart from the conceded goal, Jürgen Klopp's players were only really threatened once (Vardy attempt blocked by Matip in the 35th) and can harbor regrets.

Tottenham patina

Despite a numerical superiority during a majority of the meeting, Tottenham conceded the draw at Southampton (1-1).

Unbeaten in the league since the arrival of Antonio Conte on the bench in early November, Tottenham (6th place with 30 points) fell from 5th place in favor of West Ham (31 points), victorious over Watford (4-1) in the afternoon.

Led in the 25th minute after a goal from James Ward-Prowse, the Spurs equalized on a penalty from Harry Kane (41st), but were unable to take the advantage, despite a clear domination (13 shots in the box of repair in second of period).

Tottenham's defense around goalkeeper Hugo Lloris concedes a goal to James Ward-Prowse (center) in Southampton on December 28, 2021 Glyn KIRK AFP

After taking just one point in their last three games, West Ham has recovered well at Watford.

Led from the fourth minute of play after a goal from Emmanuel Denis, the surprise team of this first half of the season was able to turn the tide in just three minutes by Tomas Soucek (27th), then Saïd Benrahma (29th), before Mark Noble from the penalty spot (58th) and Nikola Vlasic (90 + 2) did not seal the success in the second half.

Serial reports

Without his French coach Patrick Vieira, who tested positive for Covid, Crystal Palace easily won against the red lantern Norwich (3-0).

The joy of Saïd Benrahma, author of the second goal for West Ham United during the London derby against Watford at Vicarage Road, December 28, 2021 Ian KINGTON AFP

Two meetings scheduled for Tuesday have been postponed due to many positive cases of Covid: Arsenal-Wolverhampton and Leeds-Aston Villa.

Newcastle-Everton, scheduled for Thursday, is also postponed.

Despite a record number of positive tests (103 among the twenty top-flight clubs), the specter of further restrictive measures in the stadiums, however, seems to have receded in the short term.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has indicated that no new announcements will be made before the end of the year.

© 2021 AFP