Rodgers: Liverpool Success Was About The Collective
- Leicester City defeated Liverpool 1-0 at King Power Stadium in Tuesday’s Premier League clash
- Substitute Ademola Lookman scored the only goal of the game to win a thrilling contest
- Brendan Rodgers applauded the team’s efforts at both ends of the pitch to see out the victory
- It was a timely boost to pick up three points after a tough recent run of form, he added
A close encounter, played out in front of a raucous Filbert Way crowd, was decided by a single goal scored just ahead of the hour-mark, when substitute Ademola Lookman made an instant impact from the bench.
He finished off a neat move, assisted by Kiernan Dewsbury Hall, to net for the second time in three days after also being on target in the defeat by Manchester City on Boxing Day.
City were able to see out the game with immense defending from the backline, backed up by the Blue Army, who roared the Foxes to victory, kicking every ball from the stands as Rodgers’ men impressed in the face of one of their toughest tasks of the season.
Lookman's Strike Seals Memorable Liverpool Triumph
Ademola Lookman's second-half strike helped Leicester City to a 1-0 success over Liverpool.
“What a game and what a result,” the manager beamed with LCFC TV at full-time. “A great atmosphere, probably no bigger challenge for us, and the context of playing on Sunday to then playing a team with Liverpool’s quality... to do that, to keep a clean sheet, get the win, it’s an incredible victory for us.
“In the second half, I was really proud of the team at Man City. We showed the mentality and the character that’s in the squad. I’ve just said to them afterwards, football has a habit of writing the headlines for you before the game even starts.
“I’m pretty sure there will be some who will have written the headlines for this game, in the context of playing Man City and then Liverpool. The beauty of football is that you can write your own headlines and that’s what the players have done tonight.
“We just needed to embrace the challenge and be ready to fight and ready to run and take the opportunities when they come.”
A crucial moment arrived in the first half, after just 15 minutes in fact, as Mohamed Salah won an early penalty when he was adjudged to have been tripped by Wilfred Ndidi. Kasper Schmeichel was on hand to spectacularly save from 12 yards, however.
And the Northern Irishman was full of praise for all the players - and the fans, who went away happy to end the year on a high.
“It galvanised the crowd for sure,” the 48-year-old explained. “We’d made a decent start, they are always going to challenge you with their quality, but then when he makes the save and we defend it, it near enough tells the crowd it won’t just what you think it will be.
“The players were heroes tonight, they deserve all the plaudits. You look at it, you’ve got a right-back and a centre midfield player playing at centre-back and they were colossal in the game.
“Timothy [Castagne] coming in... Luke Thomas has played in every game, he’s had no rest and he’s been up against [Sadio] Mané and [Mo] Salah. He’s been amazing for a young player, 20 years of age, he’s been incredible.
“The other guys made an impact in the game, so tonight was about the collective, everyone had to work, everyone had to fight, everyone had to run. We played with a diamond to be really aggressive in the game and then we switched it to 4-3-3 after the hour to change the dynamic in the game.”
The manager also offered an update on the condition of James Maddison, who was forced off through injury and replaced by Marc Albrighton with just over 20 minutes to play, as well as Jamie Vardy, after the forward received treatment late on in the game.
“We’ll have to see over the next couple of days,” Rodgers added. “James [Maddison], I don’t think it was anything serious. Vards (Jamie Vardy) took a knock on his ankle, so we just need to wait and see.”