Liverpool 1-0 Leicester: Claudio Ranieri believes his side deserved Anfield defeat

Claudio Ranieri admitted that Liverpool were deserved winners as his Leicester side slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield.

It was just their second defeat of the season and the Foxes remain at the top of the Premier League table despite the setback.

However, Ranieri was disappointed that it took Liverpool going in front for his team to starting playing as well as they have in recent months.

"I think we knew very well it was a tough match. Liverpool started very well to press us. After, maybe we started too late to play our football and attack, but well done to Liverpool," Ranieri said.

"Yes, the better team won, they deserved it with that they showed around the match. But it is okay.

"They [Liverpool] didn't surprise me, they play in this way, and also in other matches they played so well, against Man City and Chelsea.

"Sooner or later we must lose but that's okay, now we have to clean and restart."

The former Chelsea boss replaced his side's two standout performers so far this season in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez in the second half and confirmed it was tiredness rather than injury that led him to substitute them.

"Both were tired and Vardy played with a fever and I didn't want to give him more minutes," Ranieri added.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"Tomorrow we restart training, I will look at them and speak with them and we have another day and then I'll decide [if they can play against Manchester City]."

As for the effect the defeat will have on his players, Ranieri was unconcerned.

"Of course [the players are hurt], and that [his players showing disappointment] is good, I love this kind of spirit, they try to do their best," Ranieri added.