LEICESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) – Liverpool maintained their pursuit of Champions League football next season and pushed Leicester ever closer to the Championship as Curtis Jones scored twice in a 3-0 win at King Power Stadium on Monday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold rounded off another fine performance in his new hybrid role (between right-back and midfield) with a stunning strike as Liverpool closed to within one point of the top four.

Jurgen Klopp’s men still need a late-season collapse from Newcastle or Manchester United but a seven-game winning streak from the Reds has upped the pressure on their rivals who both have three games remaining to Liverpool’s two.

Seven years on from shocking the world to win the title, Leicester’s Premier League days look numbered as they remain two points from safety with two games remaining.

They face another daunting task when they travel to Newcastle next Monday in a match that could seal their fate.

The Foxes’ defensive frailties were again exposed as a bright start from the hosts was quickly forgotten when Jones struck twice in three minutes just after the half-hour mark.

Luis Diaz was allowed to race onto a long-ball forward from Alisson Becker before it broke for Mohamed Salah to cross for the unmarked Jones to tap in the opener at the far post.

Salah was the provider again moments later as Jones produced a magnificent touch to control and finish past the helpless Daniel Iversen.

The home crowd quickly turned on their own side, and there were boos when Cody Gakpo fired straight at Iversen with a glorious chance to make it 3-0.

Scoring goals has not been Leicester’s problem this season but they even looked blunt in attack as belief drained from Smith’s men.