Liam Moore the merrier after ending Leicester nightmare

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Liam Moore: Defender out of the picture at Leicester

Liam Moore: Defender out of the picture at Leicester

Liam Moore has revealed how Leicester’s dream title success was a nightmare for him.

The defender did not play a single minute as the Foxes became shock Premier League champions last season.

Moore, 24, had helped his home town club to promotion in 2014 and began the following season as first choice, but he was totally frozen out by Claudio Ranieri and eventually joined Reading last summer.

The former England Under-21 international now has the chance to return to the top flight with the Royals, and maybe write his own fairytale instead.

“I was around it but they were doing fantastic,” said Moore.

“It wasn’t even a case of knocking on the gaffer’s door as they were flying.

“So I patiently sat there and watched an amazing story unfold around me. For me having been there for 16 or 17 years and not be a part of it put a bit of fire in my belly.

“I said to my missus this time last year that I’m going to create a bit of my own history this year.”

While all around him celebrated Leicester’s stunning achievement, Moore revealed that he had never felt lower.

“I went from the highest I’ve ever been, to the lowest I’ve ever been,” he admitted.

“I was a young lad, we got promoted with my local team, I played the first 10 games of the season – I felt unstoppable.

“I lost my place in the team which I didn’t think I deserved to, but that happens.

“I expected to be back in a short space of time – that’s what I was told – and then 18 months go by and I haven’t really kicked a ball.”

Rather than sit around feeling sorry for himself, though, Moore pushed for a move to the Royals and will line up at Fulham on Saturday evening in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

“Whatever happens it’s been good for me,” he said. “We are going places, be it this season or not.

“There was no point me staying at Leicester, just sitting in the stands. Financially, I took a pay cut. There was no point seeing out another year at Leicester that might have made my pockets look a bit better.

“I’ve played, I’m a happier person at home, I feel better in myself doing what I love.”

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is looking for another promotion, having guided Watford to the Premier League in 2015 only to leave before they kicked a ball in the top flight.

He said: “It is two different situations – it’s different clubs.

“But it’s the same confidence – my players now believe they are good players, they believe they are a good football team, they believe they can win the game.”