Vardy: I want to be here for a long time

Jamie Vardy insisted he plans to stay at Leicester after his wonder goal inspired the Foxes to a 2-0 win over Liverpool.

The forward is in talks over a new deal and marked the discussions with a stunning opening strike before wrapping up a comfortable win with his 18th goal of the season.

His brace at the King Power Stadium, in front of watching England boss Roy Hodgson, kept the Foxes three points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Vardy volleyed in from 30 yards and ran riot over Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren having regained top form following groin surgery.

Before the match it emerged talks had begun over a deal until 2019, and Vardy said he intends to stay.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s nothing people don’t know, I’d like to be here for a long time.

“I don’t (think I’ve scored better). I had been looking all game and he (Simon Mignolet) was quite far off his line. As soon as Riyad (Mahrez) had played it through it’s bounced quite high and I’ve got no support so I just took my chance and luckily it’s gone over the top of him.”

Boss Claudio Ranieri added: “It’s incredible what Vardy did. He watched the ball, watched the opponent and watched the keeper. It’s amazing, fantastic. This opened the match.”

Leicester dominated for long spells and deserved their victory but Ranieri admitted they face a different test when they go to their top of the table clash at the Etihad at the weekend.

“On Saturday we have to run, run and run a lot,” he said.

“It’s important to see my players fight and try to win. We know sooner or later we’ll lose a match but it’s important how we lose. If there is a great goal, well done, but we have to fight. If Manchester City fight more than us, well done to them.”