Rodgers hails three issues Leicester fixed after ‘laying it out’ to squad

Kasper Schmeichel and Brendan Rodgers after Leicester beat Norwich, August 2021

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that a chat with his players in the run-up to the Manchester United game helped his side pick up their first league win since August.

The Foxes have failed to hit the heights since an encouraging start to the campaign. They won two of their first three games but took just two points from their next four. But an inspired second-half display saw the East Midlanders down United 4-2 at King Power Stadium.

Mason Greenwood’s long-range strike gave the visitors the lead on 18 minutes. But Youri Tielemans made it 1-1 at half-time with his 31st-minute effort. Caglar Soyuncu gave the hosts the lead on 78 minutes but substitute Marcus Rashford levelled affairs three minutes later.

However, Leicester refused to lie down as Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka both found the net. The 2015-2016 Premier League champions have struggled to put away teams this term.

But Rodgers felt he was watching the Leicester he knows on Saturday. There have been vital ingredients missing but three of them returned to down Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

“It is much more like it. Today we were outstanding. I spoke to the squad in the week about getting back to what we were good at,” he told BBC Sport. “You have to fight, you have to run. We needed to fix our issues and that started with our defending, aggression and intensity and then you can play fast and dynamic football.

“We are a high-pressing team, sometimes we have to adapt it but that is our blueprint.”

Rodgers wants players to keep proving point

Leicester have now elevated themselves to side that can beat anyone on their day. They have been below the standards expected at times in 2021-2022.

But Rodgers confessed his pride at the way his players responded to being told a few home truths this week.

“The ambition of the squad is that we all know we have to be together. Patson [Daka] kept the threat, pressure, running in behind and to have Ayoze [Perez] then coming on to keep the pressure and create a goal. It was an outstanding performance,” he added.

Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring for Leicester against Norwich, August 2021

“I loved watching the team today. I studied our last game against [Crystal] Palace as if I was just coming into the job and I laid it out to the players.

“We need to keep proving the point. Today we proved we can be a very good side when we play with that hunger.”

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