Liverpool vs. Leicester City score: First-place Reds pad Premier League lead with emphatic Boxing Day victory

Liverpool is now 13 points clear atop the Premier League table

Liverpool blew open the Premier League title race on Boxing Day. The first-place Reds destroyed second-place Leicester City, 4-0, on the road to go 13 points clear atop the table with a game in hand. While Roberto Firmino made plenty of noise for his two fine goals, it was Trent Alexander-Arnold who stole the show with an out-of-this-world performance. 

The Liverpool native and star right back scored a goal and assisted both of Firmino's strikes in a breathtaking performance. The Foxes had no answers in attack and their defense simply couldn't keep up, allowing four goals after only conceding 14 times in the previous 18 matches. 

Here's the winning goal from Firmino -- the only goal of the first half:

Here are three takeaways from the match:

1. Liverpool showed why the gap is so big

That big, 13-point gap between these two teams... it's not a fluke. aAnd the gap may actually get wider. Sure, Leicester has been on a great run this season and it is shocking to see the Foxes in second place, but this wasn't close. Liverpool outclassed the Foxes for most of the 90 minutes and that came after wasted chances early on by Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. The scoreline could have been more lopsided. 

The passing was spot on for Jurgen Klopp's team, and Leicester was left without searching for an answer. 

2. Leicester couldn't deal with Reds' pressure

Liverpool constantly put pressure on the Foxes, and that's impressive considering Fabinho is still out injured. The way the Reds cut off passing lanes and held shape really gave Brendan Rodgers' team a world of trouble. 

The Foxes finished the game with zero shots on goal. Balls over the top weren't working because Virgil van Dijk was ready to pounce and did. In the middle, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson were creating double teams, effectively declawing the Foxes' attack.

3. TAA looks like one of the world's best right backs

This kid something. Alexander-Arnold, 21, is an assist machine, has unbelievable pace and got his second league goal of the season on Thursday. Out of all of the right backs in the world, it's hard to find one playing at a higher level. Right backs don't get a lot of praise, and being in defense is a big reason why. But TAA gets forward and has the stamina to play both ends for 90 minutes. He's absolutely unreal and is another weapon for a team that has more than enough. That's not to mention his free-kick skills, awareness and defensive marking. He's completed the transition from budding superstar to superstar. 

CBS Sports will be with you the entire way providing updates, analysis, highlights and much more. 

Liverpool 4, Leicester City 0 (FT)

⚽ Liverpool -- Firmino (31')
⚽ Liverpool -- Milner (Penalty -- 71')
⚽ Liverpool -- Firmino (75')
⚽ Liverpool -- Alexander-Arnold (78')

[Dec 26, 2019 at 4:51 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Liverpool has earned 52 out of 54 points to start the season and are 13 points clear atop the table. Title race over?

[Dec 26, 2019 at 4:33 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

It's great from Liverpool. Upper-90 finish from Firmino as he continues hits hot form. This one is over, and Leicester's titles hopes probably as well.

[Dec 26, 2019 at 4:29 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Clear penalty and Milner finishes it! 2-0 to the Reds with 20 minutes to go!

[Dec 26, 2019 at 4:20 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

A great free-kick chance for Leicester, and Maddison sends it way wide. If they ca't take advantage of those chances, what will they take advantage of? Leicester still doesn't have a shot on frame.