Harry Diamond
Brendan Rodgers admits Liverpool will be ‘hard to shift’ at the top of the Premier League after seeing his Leicester side handed a reality check with a 4-0 defeat to the league leaders on Boxing Day.
The division’s top two met in a highly anticipated encounter at the King Power Stadium, though it would prove to be a comfortable afternoon for the runaway leaders who secured a comprehensive victory courtesy of Roberto Firmino’s brace and goals from James Milner and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The result made it back-to-back losses for the Foxes following their defeat at Manchester City last time out and leaves the club 13 points adrift of Liverpool in the title race, Rodgers admitting his side were taught a footballing lesson as we reach the halfway point of the Premier League season.
“We played our last two games against two of arguably the best teams in the history of the Premier League,” Rodgers told Match of the Day.
“We didn’t have enough patience in the first half. We never secured the ball which meant we had to defend for long periods really.
“The players gave everything. It’s a great learning game for us. Credit to Liverpool they played well.
“We just didn’t have long enough periods with the ball. When you don’t against a top team – world champions – it becomes difficult for you.
“We are at the halfway point now. We are 19 games in. It is the bigger picture with these guys. We have come a long way in this period. The players have been brilliant and this is another learning game for them, they see the physicality you need to compete.
“People were trying to put us in a race with Liverpool but we know where we are.”
Rodgers conceded that it will be difficult for any side to stop the Merseyside club as they seek an elusive league title, admitting the club will have gained added confidence from their recent trophy-winning experiences.
“They have a great cushion but that can go very quickly. They have the power and strength and now the big thing is the confidence,” he added.
“Having won the Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup, they have the feeling and the squad is very strong. They will be hard to shift in the second part of the season.”
Read – Liverpool produce ‘best performance of the season’ to dismantle Leicester
See also – Five of the greatest Boxing Day Premier League games