Rodgers admits to toughest ever spell as manager but insists: ´We´re not getting the violins out´

Brendan Rodgers admitted he is going through the toughest period of his managerial career after Leicester City lost 6-3 to Manchester City on Sunday.

The Foxes found themselves 4-0 down after just 25 minutes at the Etihad Stadium before three goals in 10 minutes in the second half saw them threaten a fightback.

However, an Aymeric Laporte header put the Premier League leaders back in control before Raheem Sterling made certain of all three points with his second of thrilling game.

Leicester have won just one of their past six games in all competitions and only three since October 27. Their run has left them 10th in the Premier League, seen them exit the EFL Cup and drop from the Europa League into the Europa Conference League.

Rodgers, who must prepare his side to face his former club Liverpool in two days’ time, accepted he is enduring his most difficult spell in management but insisted they are “not getting the violins out”.

“It definitely is,” he said when asked if this is the most challenging period he has faced.

“There’s no doubt this is a huge challenge. We’re not getting the violins out. You see what we’re missing. The players aren’t available.

“Offensively we’re really good but if you’re missing the players [we are], it’s a real challenge.

“Take [Jonny] Evans, [Caglar] Soyuncu, [Ricardo] Pereira, James Justin and Wesley Fofana out of our squad then it’s huge. We have to keep trying to find the solutions. We’ll continue to fight. We competed at the top of the league disrupting everything when we had players available.

“The results are obviously disappointing, but you have to look at the condition of the team and the players we have missing. We’re not a deep enough squad, like a Manchester City, Liverpool or Chelsea, to be able to carry it out. But what I do expect is what I saw in the second half which was incredible spirit and quality when we had the opportunities.”