Rodgers backs Foxes to show resilience and fire a response
Premier League
idea. I have to call him. Maybe I’ll call him and (ask) if he wants to come to Liverpool to enjoy — but not to play.”
Ancelotti said he was excited about teaming up with Italy striker Moise Kean (left), who he tried to sign at Napoli in the summer before the teenager opted for Everton.
“We tried to buy him. He’s a really good player with a lot of talent. He showed fantastic talent last year at Juventus,” Ancelotti added.
“We have to consider he is 19-years-old and every player who changes country needs time to adapt.”
Ancelotti also paid tribute to Duncan Ferguson for his role as caretaker boss following Marco Silva’s dismissal on December 6.
“I met Duncan after the (Arsenal) game. He will be my assistant,” Ancelotti added. “He’s really important for me.
“Duncan knows really well the characteristics of the players. It will be really helpful.”
Calm mood: Brendan Rodgers is confident in his players
BRENDAN Rodgers has backed Leicester’s character ahead of their huge clash with Liverpool.
The Foxes are 10 points behind the leaders after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester City — their first loss since October.
They welcome the Premier League pacesetters on Boxing Day aiming to end the Reds’ unbeaten run this season.
Liverpool beat Leicester 2-1 at Anfield thanks to James Milner’s controversial late penalty, only for the Foxes to win their next eight games, and Rodgers wants to see a similar recovery following their loss at the Etihad Stadium.
“We have a fantastic resilience and we’ve shown that in a number of months, but when you lose a game it’s always difficult,” the Leicester boss said.
“It’s my job as the leader to ensure it doesn’t get the players too down. We’re a humble group, we want to be better and we understand part of that development is you are going to lose games.
“That’ll happen, it’s a case of reflecting on it. We always believe in the process but when there’s a bump in the road we never get too down about it.
“We’re thinking about bringing a performance to the game which can get us three points.
“Our objectives are very much the same, we want to continue developing as a team and we still have a lot more to do to get to the level we want to be.”
Liverpool return from Qatar after winning the Club World Cup with a 1-0 win over Flamengo on Saturday but Rodgers feels his former club will shrug off any tiredness from travelling.
“It is a fantastic achievement, it’s a great status to have so very well done to them,” said the former Reds manager.
“We’re at home, we want to bring our true game — we know it’s going to be difficult but it’ll be a great test for us. They will come back on a high.”
Harvey Barnes could be available after coming off against Manchester City with an ankle problem, but he has responded to treatment.