Claude Puel reacts to an impressive draw at Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 30: Claude Puel, Manager of Leicester City reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City at Anfield on January 30, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Polarising Leicester City manager Claude Puel had his say after an inspiring away draw at Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Well, well, well, Leicester City pulled off another wonderful performance and result against a top-six club yesterday. It wasn’t just any big team either, it was table-toppers Liverpool at Anfield.

Again the Foxes began slowly, conceding in two minutes to the Reds’ Sadio Mane following some poor defending. Although Leicester came back into the awkward snow filled game. Ben Chilwell pressuring makeshift right-back Jordan Henderson successfully. Along with Papy Mendy and Man of the Match Harry Maguire breaking up Jurgen Klopp’s men’s unusually sloppy play.

Eventually, after sustained attack from Leicester City, Maguire finished superbly from a quite simply brilliant Ben Chilwell headed assist. That was on the stroke of half-time. In the second half many spectators and pundits thought the East Midlands side had the best of the chances and should have won; despite significantly less possession.

During a post-match interview Leicester boss Claude Puel, happy to seal a draw, said this:

"“It was a good point, but I don’t know if it’s a fair result because we had more chances than Liverpool, I think. We conceded another goal early in the game. We are leading in conceding a goal in the first 15 minutes.“It is a shame because we are having to chase the game all the time to get back. After, we showed fantastic character, personality and quality also. I think we suffered a little too much at the beginning, it was difficult to recover the ball.“We changed the system a little to try to have more possibility to recover the ball and start better when we do. After, we had good chances with [James] Maddison and got a goal just before half-time. It was the right moment, of course.“We started the second half with fantastic feeling, good quality, good pressing, good work and quality on the pitch,” continued the manager. “It was perfect. We had fantastic chances and I think we need to be more clinical in these moments.“We kept a good structure and worked hard on the pitch to recover the ball, to start well under pressure and under strong pressing we kept our calm all the time. We played a fantastic defensive game and with the quality to start with the ball after recovering.“…Of course, before the game, one point was a good result, but I think at the end we could have had another result.”– Claude PuelVia www.lcfc.com"

Puel’s conclusion is that his team were unlucky not to win; generally insisting if the Foxes were more clinical they would have triumphed versus the possible champions. In fact Liverpool had twice as many shots and should have been awarded a penalty; not to mention Maguire being fortunate to stay on the pitch at one stage.

While Reds chief Klopp disagrees with his counterpart’s assessment, stating he believes his Merseyside team would have won without severe weather conditions. Admitting that his players struggled to produce their usual stunning form, but mainly attributing it to snow. To be frank it did affect class on the pitch. Yet the gamesmanship of the North West club to clear only the third of the field they were attacking at the interval maybe helped them. Though not enough, gladly.

Next up for Puel’s squad is Manchester United, followed by Tottenham Hotspur. We now know that Puel fits the bill at the unpredictable King Power Stadium: the Blue Army are well aware we will defeat Manchester City, as well as Chelsea and draw with a world-class Reds side. Then  ultimately lose to Cardiff and Southampton at home in between. However, the inconsistency won’t stop us supporting!