Liverpool fans weren’t too pleased with Brendan Rodgers’ assessment of the 3-1 victory over his former side after the Leicester City boss claimed the Foxes have closed the gap on Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
The English champions dominated proceedings at the King Power Stadium for 75 minutes and deservedly went ahead midway through the second half with Mohamed Salah’s 23rd goal of the season.
However, three goals in seven minutes, two of which were totally from Liverpool’s own undoing, was enough for Leicester to steer themselves six points clear of the Reds.
Rodgers on Liverpool
And Rodgers was clearly delighted with the response his players showcased after falling behind.
“I said before the game this was going to be a measure of the team, maybe a year ago that would have disappointed us,” he said.
“It was a very good goal from a top side. Our reaction throughout the game was very good.
“We should have been in front first half, We had three really good chances.
“The way the players coped second half, I was so happy. We got the goals and had to soak it up in defence.
“Liverpool made a good start to the game and in the first half we were more passive than I would have liked and I was forceful about that at half-time, I said we needed to be more aggressive against a top team.
“They are a top team, that’s why they are champions. Look at the quality of the front line and the midfield, you know you have to play very well to win.”
It’s fair to say that a number of Kopites weren’t in agreement with Rodgers’ overall outtake on another game where Liverpool were the architects of their own downfall.
Reds supporters made it pretty clear that a combination of VAR controversy, injuries and unforced errors were the only reason Leicester walked away with all three points.
Once again, injuries conspired against Liverpool as James Milner was forced off in the first half, while Fabinho, Divock Origi and Ben Davies were all ruled out with injury.
Meanwhile, VAR was at the forefront of controversy again at Liverpool’s expense as a dubious offside decision innovated Leicester’s opening back into the game.
James Maddison’s low free-kick evaded a swarm of players and beat Alisson Becker into the bottom right-hand corner, but the flag was up for Daniel Amartey, who had motioned towards the ball, being offside.
A check later overruled the decision and the goal stood. Minutes later, frustration turned into capitulation.
A defensive catastrophe between Alisson and Kabak enabled Jamie Vardy to score for the first time in seven games before Harvey Barnes wrapped up proceedings on the on the stroke of 85 minutes.
So, on reflection, it seems that VAR, unforced errors and injuries were the blueprints to Leicester’s victory as opposed to the inspired response Rodgers eluded to in his post-match comments.
Klopp’s injuries at present read: Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Diogo Jota, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, James Milner, Ben Davies, Naby Keita, Divock Origi and Caoimhin Kelleher.
Indeed, such aforementioned circumstances do not excuse how spectacularly Liverpool surrendered their advantage, but it does offer some much-needed perspective on the club’s ongoing woes.
Reaction
Let’s see what the Anfield faithful had to say on Rodgers’ analysis on the Saturday afternoon spectacle at the King Power Stadium…