We don’t choke against big guns Bren says Foxes just lack belief as De Bruyne runs show
BRENDAN RODGERS insists his Leicester side do not have an inferiority complex when it comes to facing the big sides.
Despite fine form this season, second-placed Leicester have lost at Manchester United, at Liverpool and now at champions Manchester City.
Asked if the pressure of facing big clubs was too much for his developing side, Rodgers said: “Not really.
“It’s just a process with them. At Manchester United, the first half wasn’t great, second half was a bit better.
“Here, the first half we weren’t very good, second half a little bit better, and away at Liverpool we were better, we should have got something from the game.
“That’s the process we’re in. That’s the excitement of knowing they can get better, much better, in big games like this.
“You can only focus on yourselves and we haven’t played well enough for longer periods, even though we took lead here. I don’t think we deserved to be in front but we were and then we couldn’t sustain it after that.
“So it’s something that takes a bit of courage, a bit of belief, and that takes time.
“But the players have been brilliant up until now and that’s something we’ll work on and get better at.
“We have a lot of really gifted players, it’s just about making sure they have that That’s the next step and that comes through process, through success and learning. I’m sure they’ll get there over time.”
Manchester City’s status as champions may be ending after two years of recordbreaking dominance – but in Kevin De Bruyne they possess arguably the world’s best central midfielder.
De Bruyne was unplayable in City’s 3-0 demolition of Arsenal a week ago and it was a similar story here, the £54million star tormenting Leicester and inspiring Pep Guardiola’s side to a deserved victoty.
Riyad Mahrez was outstanding against his former club, scoring and threatening throughout.
But City’s £60m winger was eclipsed by De Bruyne, whose ruthlessness and elegance flattened the Foxes.
This was the first time Rodgers had come up against De Bruyne and the Leicester boss was left in openthe mouthed awe at the way in which the 28-year-old ran the game and left his team with no answer.
Rodgers said: “Kevin is unbelievable. He’s a worldclass player and, with world-class players, they’ll find the space.
“It’s his level and mentality. To see it live, at that level and with that quality, was absolutely great.
“You have a plan but it’s difficult because he executes it in every single game he plays. It doesn’t matter what team he’s playing against, he plays it.
“David Silva is the same. You try to block up space and anticipate where they go but their in-built football brain finds the space and they have the quality to hurt you.”
Jamie Vardy gave Leicester the lead with a superb goal on the counterbelief. attack and Mahrez levelled with a deflected strike.
Ilkay Gundogan netted a penalty before half-time after Raheem Sterling was brought down, with Gabriel Jesus adding a third late on.
Despite a convincing win, Guardiola reckons catching Liverpool is unlikely.
He said: “When a team has 16 victories from 17, it’s unrealistic to think we’re going to catch them.
“If they drop a couple of games, and we win and win – I don’t know.”