We Have The Mentality To Bounce Back, Says Maddison

- Leicester City showcased their strong mentality in Saturday’s 3-1 Premier League win over Liverpool, according to James Maddison
- The City No.10’s free-kick cancelled out Mo Salah’s goal before Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes struck at King Power Stadium
- Maddison was thrilled to score his 10th goal of the season in all competitions for Leicester

Despite falling behind on 67 minutes at King Power Stadium via Mo Salah’s neat finish, the Foxes did not let their heads drop and levelled matters with 12 minutes of normal time remaining through Maddison’s free-kick.

A defensive error from Alisson then led to Jamie Vardy making it 2-1 at King Power Stadium, before Harvey Barnes added gloss to a memorable win over Jürgen Klopp’s side.

The No.10 told LCFC TV: “We went behind, and credit to us because there were times last year where we would go behind. I think that's something that we've really improved on, is that when we do go behind, we stay calm.

“We said before, if we go a goal behind that happens. It's football. We've got the mentality now to understand that you do go behind in games sometimes, you're not going to score the first goal and win 3-0.

“So, we went behind. Credit to the gaffer, we changed the system and then, if you noticed, we went to a little diamond. So, it was a lot narrower and a lot more central type players on the pitch, with Barnesy (Harvey Barnes) going up front with Vards (Jamie Vardy).

“It just changed the dynamic of the game for us. We were able to get out more on the transition because at times, in the first especially, talking from a personal point of view, it's hard when we get the ball on the transition, I'll look up and it's just Vards.

“It's tough because Liverpool pin you in and you have to defend for long periods, and it's probably easier to give it away because you've got one man to hit, and if he comes short and I go long, you're back in the same position of having to defend again. But we got more numbers in the central areas of the pitch and killed them on the transition.

“So, it was a crazy seven minutes, especially with VAR and it being a goal, not a goal, penalty, no penalty. They're the swings of Premier League football these days, and I thought we dealt with it brilliantly and came away with a very deserved three points.”

While City thought they might be awarded a penalty when Barnes was tripped on the edge of the box, the decision, confirmed by VAR, was a free-kick, however, Maddison’s effort found the back of the net, and after another check, the goal stood.

He recalled: “The referee gives a penalty and then it's a free-kick and we had a couple of free-kicks in a similar area, to be honest.

“Liverpool keep a high line and I wasn't able to actually get into the gap that I was putting it in, which is good defending sometimes and sometimes maybe we can be a bit more aggressive with the attacking.

“I almost try to tell the players, on free-kicks like that, out in the wide area that are close to the box, just sprint to the goal.

“It's hard to pick an exact player out, so I'll try and put it in with pace in that corridor of uncertainty, as people call it, and to get people running at the goal, with little glances and little flicks, but on that one, I tried to just hit it a bit lower, a bit harder, and it actually worked exactly how I tried to.

“Whether someone gets a touch or it goes straight in, I aimed for the far corner, and then if someone gets a touch, Alisson, it's hard for him to come to the ball, just in case one of our players gets a touch. If no one touches it, sometimes it goes in the far corner.

“So, that's exactly what we wanted. And I know the stadium announcer tried to say it was Daniel Amartey's goal, but I watched it back and he doesn't touch it, and I know he doesn't get many and I love Daniel, but I think I'll have to claim that one!”