Steven Gerrard has struck two first-half penalties to give Liverpool a 2-0 lead over Leicester City after 45 minutes at Anfield.

© Getty Images

Leicester almost took a shock lead inside the first 60 seconds as Riyad Mahrez caught Simon Mignolet by surprise with a free kick from long range that clipped the post before bouncing away to safety.

Mahrez then blazed the ball over the bar from 12 yards after a surging run from Jeff Schlupp, and soon after Liverpool took the lead.

The referee pointed to the penalty spot and penalised Wes Morgan for handball, although Raheem Sterling's cross struck him in the face, and Gerrard slotted the ball home from the spot.

Leicester continued to fire shots at goal, with Schlupp slicing an effort wide of the near post before Mahrez's deflected free kick looped over the bar.

Adam Lallana then almost netted his third goal in two games, but his low shot from the edge of the box arced away from the far post at the last minute.

Five minutes before the break Liverpool were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon as the ball bounced up onto Danny Simpson's hand and Gerrard kept his composure to net his second goal.