Emile Heskey made an unhappy return to Filbert Street as the player who replaced him, Ade Akinbiyi, grabbed the decisive goal to keep Leicester on course for a UEFA Cup spot.

Heskey struggled to make an impact on the ground where he was a hero for four seasons and was also booked for dissent.

Akinbiyi has taken time to find his touch since his £5million summer move from Wolves but he is now starting to repay the faith shown in him by Peter Taylor.

His eighth goal of the season broke the deadlock before Muzzy Izzet finally killed off the Reds in injury-time.

Leicester were the better side for long periods of the game and were certainly not overawed by the recently crowned Worthington Cup winners.

They made better use of the possession with Robbie Savage again in inspirational form in the centre of the park.

Dean Sturridge again proved what a bargain buy he is proving at £300,000 from Derby with his pace troubling the Liverpool rearguard.

And in defence skipper Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart were rock-solid figures at the heart of the Foxes defence.

Taggart, who won his 50th cap for Northern Ireland in mid-week, also showed great composure on the ball and never put a foot wrong.

In all honesty there were few plus points for Liverpool who seemed subdued and lethargic for long periods.

There was precious little of the spark which had seen the Reds triumph in Roma only a few weeks ago and perhaps their recent gruelling efforts in four competitions had taken their toll.

Christian Ziege conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position after just 20 seconds when he brought down Izzet 25 yards out but Callum Davidson's low effort was not cleanly hit and was comfortably saved by Sander Westerveld.

Liverpool's best effort of the opening 45 minutes came from Ziege after Heskey had laid the ball into his path.

His 25-yard effort contained plenty of power and Foxes 'keeper Simon Royce did well to parry the effort around the post.

But, that apart, Leicester were the better side in the opening 45 minutes and they made better use of the ball although there was a distinct lack of goal-scoring chances.

Savage showed that he is more than a tenacious player and one reverse pass almost let in Sturridge but Henchoz was able to shepherd the ball back to Westerveld.

Leicester strung together a move containing at least 20 passes before Izzet's deflected shot went tamely through to Westerveld.

The home side suffered a setback when wing-back Frank Sinclair was forced out of the action with a knee injury after a block tackle on Ziege.

Their best chance of the half came after 37 minutes and fittingly it was created by the dangerman Sturridge.

He got past the challenge of Henchoz and, although Westerveld saved at his fee, the rebound deflected off Sturridge and flew inches wide of the post.

Heskey was generally quiet in the opening 45 minutes and his only worthwhile effort was a 25 yard shot which flew just over the bar.

Leicester started the second half on the offensive and Henchoz had to head clear at full stretch to deny Sturridge following a dangerous cross from Andrew Impey.

But the home side were not to be denied and after 51 minutes Akinbiyi put them deservedly in front.

Fowler gave the ball away in the left-back position, with his clearance finding Savage who fed the ball to Izzet. He in turn found Sturridge and his cross to the near post was turned home by Akinbiyi.

Leicester continued to look impressive and a cross from Akinbiyi was only just too high for the unmarked Sturridge at the far post.

Liverpool tried to retaliate and Ziege had half a chance 15 yards out but he was put off by a challenge from Elliott and screwed his shot well wide.

Houllier brought on Owen for Henchoz and reverted to 4-3-3 and for the first time Liverpool were able to exert some concerted pressure.

Royce earned his spurs when he beat out a swerving volley from Ziege and then Heskey appealed in vain for a penalty after getting into a tangle with Taggart and he was yellow carded for dissent.

Leicester now defended deeper but they still managed to put together some decent moves and Westerveld saved a low shot from Izzet after good play by Arnar Gunnlaugsson.

But in injury time Izzet put the seal on victory as he latched onto another good ball from Gunnlaugsson and slotted the ball past Westerveld for his 10th goal of the season.

Teams:

Leicester: Royce, Sinclair (Impey 34), Davidson, Elliott, Rowett, Taggart, Savage, Lewis, Izzet, Akinbiyi (Gunnlaugsson 73), Sturridge (Benjamin 82).

Subs Not Used: Andrews, Guppy.

Booked: Izzet.

Goals: Akinbiyi 51, Izzet 90.

Liverpool: Westerveld, Babbel, Hyypia, Henchoz (Owen 61), Carragher, Ziege, Gerrard, McAllister (Hamann 75), Barmby (Murphy 81), Fowler, Heskey.

Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Biscan.

Booked: Heskey.

Att: 21,924

Ref: D Gallagher (Banbury).