Advertisement

Rodgers says Leicester happy to be left out of title race chat

Brendan Rodgers is happy for Leicester to be left out of discussions over the race for the Premier League title.

The Foxes are once again exceeding expectations and find themselves second only to Jurgen Klopp’s rampant Liverpool, a side they trail by eight points.

Striker Jamie Vardy has now struck in eight consecutive league matches (chasing down his own record of 11) while the team looks in imperious form under Rodgers, having not lost since a late defeat to Liverpool at the start of October.

READ MORE: Leicester go eight behind Liverpool after thrashing Villa 4-1

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Youri Tielemans of Leicester City celebrates after Jamie Vardy scored Leicesters fourth goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on December 8, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Leicester are in fine form reminiscent of their title-winning season. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

And the former Reds boss insists the Midlands club, fresh off beating Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday, are not expected to challenge for glory.

"I don't think anybody expects us to be anywhere near the top," he said. "After Manchester United won at Manchester City, a caption came up after the game about how far Manchester City are away from Liverpool.

"We respect that and we just get on with our job, get on with trying to play and improve our performance levels."

City, led by Pep Guardiola, have won the Premier League title the previous two seasons and were expected to be the main competition to the Reds, but a catastrophic defeat to fierce rivals Manchester United has left them 14 points adrift of the league leaders.

Rodgers led Liverpool to one of their closest title challenges in decades in 2013-14, when the Merseysiders fell a Steven Gerrard-slip short of ending their Premier League trophy drought.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates with Kasper Schmeichel during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on December 8, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Rodgers has inspired his team to second place - but insists he is happy to be left out of the title picture. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

The Northern Irishman now leads Leicester, who have to face both Liverpool and City over the Christmas period.

The Foxes will be buoyed by having picked up more points already this season than they did at the same stage of their ‘miracle’ season in 2015-16, when they won the league.

"It's just natural - Manchester City and Liverpool are both incredible teams in the league and have shown last year how good they were," added Rodgers.

"For us, we know that we are constantly trying to improve and look to close the gap. But I thought today we looked like a top team."


Yahoo is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page.
Watch 20 live Premier League games this December, exclusive to Prime Video.Sign up today.

Featured from our writers:

Yahoo Sport UK presents Tailgate