ONLY THE REACTION WAS OVER THE TOP!

Rodgers: Nothing wrong with Mo tackle

LEICESTER boss Brendan Rodgers has leapt to the defence of under-fire Hamza Choudhury and urged the controversial midfielder not to lose his aggression.

A fierce tackle from Choudhury put Liverpool star Mo Salah on the sidelines and Kop fans were furious when he had to miss Sunday’s clash with Manchester United which saw the Reds lose their 100 per cent record in the Premier League.

The Egyptian ace has not played since the 2-1 win over Leicester at Anfield earlier this month. He was taken off injured following the challenge from Choudhury that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp described as dangerous.

It is not the first time this term that tenacious Choudhury has been in the firing line for zealous challenges. He was criticised after tangling with Matt Ritchie in a Carabao Cup win at Newcastle.

Choudhury, 22, was also sent off while playing for England Under-21s at the European Championship in the summer.

But Leicester boss Rodgers (below) insisted: “The reaction to Hamza (at Anfield) was right over the top. The boy went in to make a tackle, that’s all.

“Mo Salah is a worldclass player but you are allowed to tackle him. It wasn’t even a bad tackle.

“You have to ensure you stay aggressive without overstepping the line.

“We play in an aggressive but sporting way.

“Young Hamza is one of those lads who plays on the limit. He is fighting for his career. His strength is recovering the ball and retrieving the ball, which he is very good at, and he is still learning other aspects of his game.”

Choudhury was subjected to racist abuse following the tackle that injured Salah at Anfield on October 5. But Rodgers, whose side return to action on Friday at Southampton on the back of a 2-1 home win over Burnley, added: “What happened to him was not nice but he has been absolutely

fine.”

Choudhury has been abused over his challenge on Mo Salah at Anfield