With 14 games left this campaign, Leicester is closing in on a Champions League qualification place and is now a definite title contender – especially if Vardy maintains his form.
Advertisement
The England striker scored both goals in Leicester’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool on Monday and former Foxes and West Ham striker Cottee fully appreciated the skill involved in his opener.
Vardy enjoyed title success with non-league outfit Fleetwood in 2011/12 before joining Leicester for £1m in that summer where he helped clinch the Championship title in 2014. It’s a sure-fire goal of the season candidate, and Vardy’s 17th of the season. At Christmas last season they were bottom of the table and destined for the drop. “The second goal was not too good, but I don’t know why it’s not an offside after a ball like this”, he told LFC TV.
Only a goal of the season winning strike could have overshadowed the magnitude of Leicester’s victory, but that is precisely what Vardy accomplished as he latched on to Riyad Mahrez’s long-range ball over the top, took it on the half-volley and scored a worldy from 30-yards, beating Simon Mignolet easily.
“It’s incredible what Vardy did”. This opened the match up.
“We are free of pressure”, Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri said.
“Now I m curious because on Saturday we have to run, run, run a lot”. “I think we didn’t start the game well, we let Leicester come into the game and didn’t defend aggressively enough. We had the chances to win it. But their keeper kept them in it”.
While still not favourites for the title, they have lasted better than anyone could possibly have predicted, and will fancy their chances if they can get positive results in their next two games, against fellow challengers Manchester City and Arsenal. “It is an important three points and now we have to play Leicester at home and they are still the leaders”.
Klopp, though, was less than happy with his side’s decision making and felt they could have taken something from the King Power Stadium. “It was a very good performance and I am very pleased with my players”.
Advertisement
They have failed to score in three consecutive games since hitting five past Norwich, and Klopp admitted he was looking for more from his team.
