Jamie Vardy can have a major say in the title race if Pep Guardiola overlooks his scoring threat, says Brendan Rodgers.
The Leicester striker has 11 goals in 11 games. He has scored five times against City and Rodgers believes he can spread fear among their defenders once more.
‘When I was preparing a team to play against him you just knew you’d got to be really careful,’ said Rodgers, the Leicester boss, ‘because if you don’t counter-press the game well and there’s space to play that pass, he’s going to hurt you. It’s brilliant to have him on your side.’
Rodgers said Leicester might have to be patient at the Etihad but are going there to win. ‘For us it’s about super-compact pressing at the right moment and when you have the ball, playing quickly. Can you come out of that? Then the space is there for you.’
Rodgers, who managed Liverpool to their last title challenge in 2013-14, said sentiment for his former club would play no part. ‘It’s exciting to be involved in the title race but my thoughts are solely with Leicester and doing what we can to get a result,’ he said. ‘We respect that it will be a tough game for us. But we have a model that can beat any team.’