How does Rodgers find a system with wingers for Leicester?

There were a few chances for Harvey Barnes to score, often found after carrying possession before off-loading, and this does highlight the proficiency of attacking in this style. But, was the execution of the first-half system more of the issue rather than the system itself.

Playing short, building out of defence, and looking to find vertical passes throughout all thirds of the pitch, that’s a credible way of playing football. The issues Leicester ran into — and unfortunately have done so on numerous occasions this season — was the speed in which they rotated possession, the incisiveness and verticality, and the movement of the midfielders and forwards were all non-existent.

You can adjust the system and change the focus of attacks, leaning away from vertical passing to create chances and thus requiring ball-carrying and take-ons to fashion chances, but is this merely hiding an issue for the Foxes. The basic principles of attacking football are those aforementioned actions missing from Leicester’s possession. A theme that’s becoming increasingly prevalent as this seasons progresses.

Of course, east Midlands team aren’t strangers to a long injury list and that’s definitely thwarting how positive they can be in possession. Missing key players in defensive areas does subconsciously impact the midfield/forwards to play safer in possession — wary of giving turnovers frequently. However, as many reasons as I can provide for these unpredictable and frankly underwhelming performances, a lot of the finger pointing has to be at the coaching.

These issues aren’t systematic, they’re basic principles of football. We can address these problems by adjusting systems and personnel, and attempt to fill these gaps by exploring different avenues of attacking, but the coaching has to progress to a place where Leicester are executing these principles. That’s the biggest issue, and the one that needs rectifying first.