A YEAR ON from sitting bottom of the Premier League, Claudio Ranieri has urged Leicester City not to look down as the Premier League leaders prepare to take on Liverpool at Anfield on St Stephen’s Day.
Ranieri’s men ensured the Christmas top spot with a 3-2 win over Everton — Riyad Mahrez’s brace and a Shinji Okazaki strike continuing Leicester’s incredible season before Arsenal moved within two points of top spot with victory over Manchester City on Monday.
Leicester are the first side in Premier League history to be bottom at Christmas one year and top the next and face a Liverpool side enduring their first tricky spell under Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool are winless in four matches in all competitions but Ranieri is more concerned with ensuring his squad maintain focus and continue to lead the way in an unpredictable season.
“Our team is a young team, it’s the first time we’re top of the league, we aren’t used to staying there, for this reason it’s important for me they don’t think about it,” the Italian said. “It’s like a climber. If you look below: ‘Ahhh … my God’.
“I think if we go through this fantastic moment — because now we have Liverpool, Manchester City and then Bournemouth, who are in great form, then Tottenham — maybe if we are still top after that not only Leicester fans are behind us, but a lot of English fans as well.
Because Leicester, I think, are a likeable team. Maybe the people say: ‘If my team don’t win, I’m very happy if Leicester win.’ And this is a good thing.
“Leicester had pressure last season in this period — bad pressure – now they must enjoy, they must play free. It’s stupid if we have pressure.
“All the world are speaking about you, continue to play how you are doing. Sooner or later we will lose a match — I hope later – but we must continue to work hard.”
Danny Drinkwater (hamstring) and Matty James (match fitness) are set to miss out for Leicester while Klopp will be without Martin Skrtel (hamstring) for six weeks as the German seeks to end a difficult run of results.
Following a promising start to Klopp’s reign, Liverpool slipped to ninth following their 3-0 defeat at Watford but have not lost any of their last six games against Saturday’s opponents.
Liverpool have only lost once at home during Klopp’s reign and striker Christian Benteke is eager to maintain that run at Anfield.
“[Leicester] won’t just sit back and wait for a mistake. They will want to play and show that they have the quality to play. That’s why they’re first in the league,” the Belgian said.
“Of course we have to respect them but when we play them we have to do everything to try to get the three points.
“I’m feeling good and I want to play because it’s a big game. But it’s up to the manager and I respect his decision.”
