Rodgers: It’s Bitterly Disappointing

- Brendan Rodgers reacts to Leicester City’s 1-0 defeat by Southampton in the Premier League
- The Foxes created several opportunities, but were unable to convert
- Harry Souttar headed onto the crossbar in injury time
- Rodgers provided an update on the fitness of Victor Kristiansen and Harvey Barnes (both ankle) after the match

The Foxes were beaten 1-0 at St. Mary’s Stadium, with Carlos Alcaraz the man to net the winning goal, despite Danny Ward saving a penalty just moments earlier. That wasn't the complete story, though, with Kelechi Iheanacho unable to convert three big chances before Harry Souttar hit the bar with a header in time added on.

It’s now four defeats on the spin across all competitions for Rodgers’ side, who are next in action in a week’s time against Chelsea at King Power Stadium.

“I feel for the players, I don’t think they deserved to lose the game,” Rodgers reflected. “We started really well. We had a five or 10-minute period from when they get the penalty where we gave away the goal, but we created enough chances and opportunities to win the game.

“I’d have been disappointed drawing the game, but to lose it… yes, result-wise, it was disappointing. We failed to hit the target, I think that was our disappointment tonight. We got into some really good areas, especially in the middle of the goal, we just failed to hit the target.

“[It’s] bitterly disappointing, because this was a big opportunity for us – a team that, with the greatest respect, have been struggling at home, and you could sense that. We started the game with confidence, we played well, but we didn’t take our chances and if you don’t and you make a mistake they can punish you.

“The players gave everything in the second half, we couldn’t quite muster a shot on target, but they worked very hard in the game. We just have to stay together, keep working and look to the next game.”

Togetherness will be key in the coming weeks, with Chelsea first up on Filbert Way before a trip to Brentford follows a week later. Both fixtures come prior to the final international break of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

“It’s about personality now,” he continued. “We have to stay strong and stay together. We’ve got a really honest group. The midweek cup game was nowhere near good enough in terms of intensity, and it was too easy to play against. Tonight was much better in terms of that intensity and aggression. We sadly just couldn’t take our opportunities.”

Rodgers and City were dealt a big blow prior to the match after January arrival Victor Kristiansen injured his ankle in the build-up to the game. Rodgers also spoke of the fitness of Harvey Barnes, who came off at the break.

“Probably about four weeks,” said Rodgers of Kristiansen’s potential absence. “Unfortunately, in training on Thursday, he hurt his ankle. It didn’t seem so bad after training, but he woke up the next morning and it was pretty swollen.

“He went for a scan and sadly it puts him out for about four weeks, which is a big blow for us because he’s come in and he’s given us a great physicality. Unfortunately, we’ll miss him now.

“We’ll have to wait and see [about Barnes]. He got booked for the challenge on James Ward-Prowse and I think he’s twisted his ankle, so we’ll just have to wait and see on that.”

There was, however, a long-awaited first Premier League start of the campaign for Portugal right-back Ricardo Pereira, who played from start to finish on the south coast.

Rodgers added: “It’s brilliant for us at this stage of the season to have him back. It’s very important and great for him to get the minutes. Sadly, he wasn’t part of a win, but it’s a good boost for us.”