Liverpool have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 13 points after sealing a stunning 4-0 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.The Reds, who added the Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet last weekend, secured the 17th win from their 18th league fixture of the campaign against Brendan Rodgers’ side.Trent Alexander-Arnold was the star of the show, playing a hand in the opening three goals and then scoring Liverpool's fourth of the night. Roberto Firmino scored twice from Alexander-Arnold assists, while James Milner scored the other with his first touch from the penalty spot.Some fancied second-placed Leicester to inflict a first league defeat of the season on Jurgen Klopp’s newly-crowned world champions.But Liverpool were excellent from start to finish and, in truth, made their opponents look rather ordinary for much of the match.

The Merseyside outfit came flying out of the traps and were unfortunate not to score an early goal.

Alexander-Arnold, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah all threatened to break the deadlock within the opening five minutes.

Salah then spurned a decent opportunity to score from a tight angle after getting past Kasper Schmeichel. He scored from a similar opportunity against Red Bull Salzburg recently but was unable to repeat the feat, albeit from the opposite side of the pitch, on this occasion.

Jordan Henderson then went close with a deflected effort before Liverpool found the breakthrough via Firmino, who headed home Alexander-Arnold’s superb delivery.

That made it 19 Premier League assists for Liverpool’s 21-year-old right-back since the beginning of last season.

Mane should have made it 2-0 to the visitors before half-time following a mix-up in the Leicester defence. The Senegalese winger found himself through on goal inside the box with only Schmeichel to beat but was thwarted by the Danish shot-stopper.

It was much of the same after the half-time interval, with Firmino going close to making it 2-0 from an Andy Robertson cross 10 minutes after the restart.

How it was still only 1-0 by the hour-mark was mystifying. This was a dominant and impressive display from the European champions.

Leicester’s fans had little to cheer about, although noise levels inside the King Power rose briefly following a period of pressure from the home side.

Sensing the tables might be turning, Klopp reacted by sending on Milner and Divock Origi in place of Naby Keita and Salah.

And moments later, Liverpool were awarded a penalty when Alexander-Arnold's corner was handled by Caglar Soyuncu.

Milner, with his first touch of the game, converted from 12 yards to put the Reds 2-0 up.

Game over - but not before the magnificent Alexander-Arnold then set up Firmino to make it 3-0. 

Alexander-Arnold then wrapped up the Man of the Match award by getting himself on the scoresheet.

It was no more than the England international deserved. This was a stunning individual performance from the world-class full-back.

But football is a team sport, of course, and Liverpool, to a man, were fantastic.

This is surely the season they finally land their hands on the Premier League trophy.