We Will Learn From Newcastle Loss, Says Rodgers

- Brendan Rodgers wants Leicester City to learn from Friday’s 1-0 reverse against Newcastle United
- Rodgers says City must be more dangerous with the ball when dominating possession
- The Foxes have won four games under the Northern Irishman, losing just twice

City were unable to breach Newcastle’s defence, despite enjoying 72 per cent possession during the King Power Stadium encounter.

For Rodgers, while disappointed to suffer a first defeat in five matches, the game provided him with an opportunity to see how his side fares against a more defensive opponent.

Rodgers said: “It was the first game of this type that I’ve seen us play in, and of course, when you’re playing an opponent that’s very deep with all 11 players in that final third of the pitch, then it’s difficult.

“It was interesting to see what we can do better. I thought in the first half, we were too slow in our passing in order to get in between their lines and unbalance their defence. In the second half, we were better.

“I thought we played through the lines better. There’s lots of areas that we can improve in. There weren’t too many chances in the game and sometimes, that’s the way it is in these types of games.

“It’s disappointing when you lose any game, but the important thing is learning from it. I’m here to help the team improve in these types of games. We had enough of the ball, for sure, but when you have that much of the ball, you have to be dangerous with it.”

With a trip to London Stadium to face West Ham United next up on Saturday 20 April (3pm BST kick-off), Rodgers says the Foxes will reflect on Friday’s result and then look forward to their next Premier League outing.

“You learn in both,” Rodgers said. “You learn in success and failing. It was the first type of game where I’ve had the chance to see us in that situation, where a team are so deep with 11 players behind the ball. There’s certainly areas where we can be much better in.

“When a team gets set like that, you have to be able to play technically and very, very fast in order to break through the lines.

“That’s something that will come in time. In the meantime, we’ll just go away, look at it and look to identify with the players how we can be better.”