Rodgers: The Players Gave Everything
- Leicester City were defeated 1-0 by Manchester United on Thursday night
- Jadon Sancho scored the game’s only goal on 23 minutes at King Power Stadium
- Brendan Rodgers reacted to the loss, City’s fourth in five Premier League games
- The manager told LCFC TV of his frustrations after a testing beginning to 2022/23
The Red Devils left King Power Stadium with all three points courtesy of Jadon Sancho’s first-half strike, the only goal of the game, which sees the hosts remain without a win in the Premier League at the end of matchday five.
Analysing the 90 minutes, the Northern Irishman believes the performance was, in parts, worthy of more, but a lack of cutting edge in key areas led to a first scoreless game of the campaign for his side.
“The players gave everything in the game,” Rodgers began, speaking to LCFC TV. “We made another really good start, but we gave a soft goal away from us being in possession. We just needed to close up the line when the ball was played long but unfortunately, we didn’t do that. The reaction of the players was great, they just kept fighting.
“In the second half, we were excellent in terms of to up to the final third, but in the final third we lacked that bit of craft and bit of imagination if I’m honest. That’s the only disappointment, but we stayed in thXe game right to the very end.
“JJ (James Justin) has the opportunity (at the end) and probably a bit of fatigue takes its toll on his technique, but he’d done great for us all game and it was frustrating in the end. I’ve seen JJ score from outside the box against Stoke, it was just one of those where he’s made a great run to get there, a nice pass and then unfortunately it just didn’t drop for him.”
By bringing James Maddison - who missed the Chelsea defeat due to injury - back into the starting XI, there was more creativity in Leicester’s midfield, but other than several set piece deliveries, it was difficult to break down the away side’s defence, which stood firm.
The manager explained: “Our issue with James Maddison not being in the middle of the pitch is that we lacked that invention. We tried to play him off the side, put three midfield players in and he came in and was able to then get on it more.
“He has that courage, and that feeling where he can deal with the pressure of the game and take the ball. Once he was able to do that, we could progress through the pitch much quicker. He was outstanding for us and putting him there moved Ki (Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall) out to the side.”
Acknowledging a difficult start to 2022/23, Rodgers believes his team could have had more points on the board from the opening five fixtures, but must now look forward, continue working and remain together.
“There’s frustration all round,” the 49-year-old added. “I think we’ve played well in the Southampton game and the Brentford game for one hour, got up in the games and then didn’t get the results. That obviously leaves a little frustration.
“We certainly should have taken something from the Chelsea game. In the Arsenal game, we just made too many mistakes. Tonight was likewise. You can’t fault the players’ spirit and what they are giving.
We've Got The Heart, Says Thomas
Young full-back Luke Thomas reflects with LCFC TV on Leicester City's 1-0 reverse to Manchester United on Thursday.
“It’s been a tough window for us. We hope and expect that everything will settle down after tonight and then we can focus and get together as a group and look to win our next game.
“It’s just been frustrating. That’s the reality. We’ve not been able to do much business. It’s been a challenging period, no doubt, but we get back to focusing on our football, that’s what we can control.
“They (the fans) were great and it’s going to be so important. I’m sure they’ll recognise that this is a time when we have to come together. The players have showed that fight, we need that energy off the pitch as well, in the stands. If we get that, it really gives the players that encouragement and that support and hopefully we can pick up the results that we want.”