Rodgers snaps at Vardy critics with comparison to electric Liverpool ace

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has backed Jamie Vardy to get back in the goals and insisted that the striker’s other important contributions resemble a role played by Roberto Firmino at Liverpool.

Vardy sits joint-top of the Premier League’s scoring charts this season with 17 but the England international has not scored in his last nine games, with his last goal coming away to Manchester City in December.

The 33-year-old has registered two assists in that time, however, and speaking to reporters at a press conference (via Goal), Rodgers insisted that while he has struggled to find the net of late, Vardy remains an important figure for the Foxes.

“I have no doubt he’ll get the goals and it’s a matter of time before he gets back to scoring again,” the manager said. “Sometimes you get a run like it.

“You don’t force it, you don’t put pressure on, he knows that’s his job.

“If you’re needing 65 goals to get where you want to be, then it’s no good having a striker with 40 when the others can’t contribute – it’s a team responsibility.

“Look at Roberto Firmino at Liverpool – he’s scored 10, but look at his influence and what he gives and allows the other players [to do].

“With Jamie, when he’s not scoring he’s creating space for others. It’s the responsibility of everyone – full-backs, centre-halves, midfielders, front players, and the guys coming off the bench, too, to contribute.”

Leicester, who are six points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea, are on course to finish in the top four this season and make a return to the Champions League following their run to the quarter-finals three seasons ago.

 

 

The Foxes face a tough run-in, with their last five games featuring ties against Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United.

In other news, Rodgers has insisted that he intends to be cautious about bringing Wilfred Ndidi back into the fold after his recent return from injury.

Ndidi staged an astonishing recovery from surgery in January, returning to action just 12 days after a piece of floating bone was removed from a meniscus.

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