LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -Liverpool came back after conceding early to beat Leicester City 3-1 at Anfield on Thursday and open a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Struggling Leicester took a shock sixth minute lead through Jordan Ayew but lived a charmed life until Cody Gakpo equalised on the stroke of halftime.

And so the curtain comes down on an eventful calendar year at Anfield. Twenty-eight games, 23 wins, 72 goals…and two managers. 2024 at Anfield started with a 4-2 win over Newcastle on 1 January as Jurgen Klopp's side went three points clear at the top.

Not for the first time this season, Liverpool delivered under pressure to tighten their grip on the top of the Premier League. Trailing 1-0 after a generally anaemic first-half performance, two fine goals either side of the interval from Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones turned the game around before Mohamed Salah capped the win and allowed Arne Slot’s side to move seven points clear.