“I will be happy if they are afraid of me because it will make it easier for me”, said the softly-spoken 24-year-old, who received a standing ovation when he was substituted late on, having quickly become a crowd favourite. We had a few minutes when you saw what can happen in a football game – West Ham were 2-0 up today and lost 4-2 so that sort of thing can happen, not only here.
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The Leicester manager was gracious in defeat, and praised the performance of Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp could pick any number of players as standouts when he takes to Melwood to analyse his side’s performance, but it was Firmino who arguably shone the brightest at Anfield. “You don’t say it, but I can hear it, even when I’m not a native speaker – ‘Are you sure?'”
The German appreciated the sentiment but called on fans to hold off until the final whistle in the future, reminding them that games can turn if players switch off and lose concentration. We played calm football, but we can’t create with each pass, each movement.
Liverpool’s only goal this season is to qualify for the Champions League, and with one league game per week, there’s arguably no excuse to ignore Sturridge for the striker role (if he’s fit).
Danny Simpson was forced to withdraw in the first half through injury, and Ranieri said he will find out tomorrow if the defender will be fit enough to line up against the Belgian side.
But Leicester were given hope when Lucas inexplicably passed the ball to Jamie Vardy to shoot into an empty net.
And when Mane bagged his second goal of the season just after the half-hour, from Daniel Sturridge’s exquisite back-heel, it looked as if Liverpool would decorate their party with a rout. “We were here Thursday night for training”.
“We have to clear our minds for the next match”, added the Italian, whose side visit Club Bruges in their first-ever Champions League fixture on Wednesday. We really deserved the three points.
‘But the players mental energy will return much quicker because everyone wants to play in the Champions League in Bruges’.
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“We will give our best to win for the fans and for the club”.
