We Gave Everything, Says Puel
- Leicester City gave their all against Liverpool on Saturday, says Claude Puel
- The Foxes were edged 2-1, with Rachid Ghezzal on target for a second consecutive game
- Puel described the Filbert Way atmosphere as ‘crazy’ following Ghezzal’s goal
Goals from Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino saw Jürgen Klopp’s men head into the break 2-0 up, despite Demarai Gray being denied by Alisson midway through the first period.
The Foxes pulled one back when substitute Kelechi Iheanacho dispossessed Alisson before setting up Rachid Ghezzal, but they could not find a leveller late on against the Merseyside outfit.
“When we finish the game it’s a lot of disappointment for my players because we gave our best and the second half was fantastic,” reflected Puel.
“I think the first half, we started well. It was difficult to find a solution. We played under pressure against this team because they made strong pressing.
“It was important to find our play and also to make good pressing together. Some players pressed and others didn’t. We hesitated and we conceded the chances.
“It was tough but we have had good chances and made a good recovery in the first half to have the good situations and opportunities.
“I regret the second goal that we conceded just before half-time because after it was tough. We came back in the second half with good quality and desire with good pressing together.”
Leicester were dominant after the break and deservedly pulled a goal back through Ghezzal on 63 minutes.
“There were some fantastic moves and chances to come back to score and to equalise,” continued Puel. “It didn’t happen in the end but it was encouraging also about our play and our mentality.
“We have to continue this way because we showed a lot of quality against a great team. We hurt them in all of the second half and of course we won a lot of balls that were winnable.
“We used the ball behind our recovery with a good tempo and good quality. Okay, it’s a disappointment but it’s an encouraging game for the future of course.”
Puel acknowledged the brilliant atmosphere that the Blue Army created on Filbert Way, most notably when his side halved the deficit thanks to Ghezzal’s maiden Premier League strike.
“It was a fantastic feeling with all of the good support from our fans,” he said. “It was fantastic when we scored, it was crazy, crazy.
“We had other chances. It was a disappointment but it was a promising game for us. Now, it will be the international break for a lot of players.
“I hope for all my players the best with the national team and I hope they come back with the same spirit, mentality and focus about the Club, and to continue to play with this good tempo and good feeling.”