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Claudio Ranieri urges Leicester to relax and enjoy playing

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26:  Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City (r) holds back Jamie Vardy of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match bet
Image: Leicester were left frustrated at Anfield on Boxing Day

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has told his side not to fear losing ahead of Tuesday's showdown with Manchester City.

The Foxes retained their spot as Premier League leaders despite a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool courtesy of Christian Benteke's goal, as Arsenal blew their chance to overtake them with a 4-0 loss at Southampton.

Pressure will only increase during the latter stages of the season and Ranieri is keen to avoid a repeat of what he saw at Anfield.

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Matt Le Tissier gives his thoughts on Liverpool's 1-0 win over Leicester City on Boxing Day

"You know my idea about this (the title) - we are dreaming," said Ranieri.

"We are in good condition and in a good position with 38 points. Now we can continue but I want to see my players enjoy it. I don't know why we were so nervous at the beginning. Why?

"Play football, don't worry. If you lose, lose. That's it. We have the time."

Leicester's two leading scorers Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez were both substituted at Anfield despite the Foxes trailing the game and Ranieri admitted he was mindful not to burn them out with City up next.

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

"Sunday we restart training and I will speak with them and then we have another day and then I will decide. I think Vardy will be okay. Danny Drinkwater starts with us Monday, he has trained alone all week, and he could be fit. City is another fantastic test."

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Claudio Ranieri congratulates Liverpool on their 1-0 win over Leicester

Defender Danny Simpson admits a first defeat in three months came as a blow but believes the players will bounce back.

"It has been a tough few weeks but we know we will pick ourselves up," he told Leicester's official website.

"We are devastated and it is a setback but we will bounce back; we have great spirit and great characters. We are an honest bunch and we will look at it and react in the right way and there is no better way than to react against Man City."

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