Pain, Poor Signings and No Plan: Leicester’s Problems Laid Bare | OneFootball

Leicester’s Collapse: Pain, Mismanagement and Missed Potential Ahead of Liverpool Clash

Liverpool are closing in on a historic 20th league title, while Leicester City are staring down the barrel of another painful relegation. In the Rival Recon podcast on Anfield Index, host Hari Sethi was joined by Leicester supporter Becky Taylor to explore the Foxes’ disastrous campaign. The result was a candid, cathartic discussion of a club in freefall.

Pain Foreseen But Not Like This

Becky T was blunt in her admission: “I did expect it to be pretty painful — but not quite the pain that it has been this season.” Reflecting on her own words at the start of the campaign, she recalled tweeting: “Well, this is going to be an all-timer of a season.”

Though the fanbase prepared for a relegation battle, early signs under Steve Cooper were deceptively encouraging. “After the first game, play Spurs, get a draw, look like we actually have a bit of fight… the hope’s back already.” But that flicker of belief soon evaporated.

Injuries and inconsistent selection disrupted any momentum. “Some of the players that we’ve lost through injury this season are some real, real big players,” Becky explained, also questioning why others “have been out of favour when I’m not really sure why.”

Managerial Missteps and Identity Crisis

One recurring theme was Leicester’s muddled identity under Steve Cooper. “He’s a really nice guy,” Becky said, “but doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a great football manager.” She described Cooper’s tenure as a period of “defensive setups with not very good defensive players.”

She added, “It looked like a lot of the time, they didn’t really know what the plan was.” While results under Cooper may have flattered, the performances did not. “Honestly, we were lucky to get a lot of the points that we did.”

Becky summed it up harshly: “We looked lost under him. A different style of relegation, basically.”

Defending the Indefensible

No aspect of Leicester’s season has come under more scrutiny than their defence. “There is a real distinct lack of quality,” Becky admitted, pointing to the now-infamous Wout Faes: “He’s one of the worst footballers I’ve seen… I’m sick of seeing him.”

Recalling the game at Anfield when Faes scored two own goals, Becky noted: “That’s what everyone remembers. But unfortunately, we’ve as fans had to watch him play many, many more games and be as absolute carnage as that.”

Recruitment has only deepened the crisis. Leicester spent £15 million on Coady and £25 million on Skip, both of whom have barely played. “That £40 million should have been invested so much better,” she lamented.

Dismay and Diminished Expectations

Becky also criticised baffling contract decisions, including extending deals for players who had not proven themselves. “We gave Yannick Vestergaard a three-year contract… just kind of that constant giving players ridiculous contracts without them really justifying it.”

Injuries and poor transfer strategy compounded what Becky saw as “a season of inevitability.” Yet, it wasn’t without frustration at wasted potential. “With a full squad, I think there was more quality than people give it,” she insisted.

Ultimately, as Leicester prepare to host a rampant Liverpool side led by Arne Slot, the gulf between the two clubs has never felt wider. While the Reds eye silverware, Leicester reflect on missteps and what might have been.