Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri praises Liverpool after 'inspired' performance

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri conceded his team were second best to Liverpool during his side's 4-1 defeat on Saturday.

Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane put the hosts in control at Anfield, before a mistake by Lucas Leiva allow Jamie Vardy to reduce the deficit before half-time.

But Liverpool took control after the break and added two more goals through Adam Lallana and Firmino again, leaving Ranieri to concede his team failed to match their opponents.

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"Liverpool played better than us and deserved to win," he said.

"We were waiting for this kind of football. First match at home (for Liverpool), new stand and I think we started well but after the first goal, we lost our counter and they played so well.

"We wanted to do something but Liverpool won the first ball, the second ball, they were inspired tonight.

"Everything they tried to do was OK and it was difficult for us.

"We scored but we lost our shape in the midfield because there were so many players in there. They play with a diamond and change their ways. We knew that but this evening it was difficult to stop them."

Leicester open their debut Champions League campaign with a trip to Belgium to face Club Brugge on Wednesday, and Ranieri warned his side they must move on quickly.

"Now we have to clear our minds and understand that in football we have to be strong, determined, aggressive and reactive," Ranieri told the club's website.

"This evening, Liverpool were better than us. Now we must clear our mind and think about the next match in the Champions League."