Brendan Rodgers manager of Liverpool looks on during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on September 18, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Brendan Rodgers has urged fans to “stay calm” as his new-look Liverpool side battle to gain momentum after a stuttering start to the campaign.
Anfield was gripped by frustration and anxiety over the past week as the Reds were beaten at home by Aston Villa in the Premier League and then struggled to overcome Ludogorets in their opening Champions League clash.
The feel-good factor generated by the emphatic win at Tottenham before the international break has been replaced by concerns about Liverpool's ability to break teams down, coupled with the defensive frailties which both Villa and the Bulgarian champions exploited.
But Rodgers insists the past two matches have simply illustrated the sizeable task of bedding in so many new faces following the club’s extensive recruitment drive.
There were six summer signings in the starting line up which faced Villa and just one fewer against Ludogorets.
“There’s no doubt it is a challenge and I think everyone connected with the game will understand that,” Rodgers told the ECHO.
“We had to bring in a lot of new players this summer because of the demands of the Champions League and the other competitions.
“We’ve got players adapting to a different country as well as a new team.
“We’ve got three changes in our back five and on top of that it’s very inexperienced. The full-backs are 20 and 22, the two centre-backs 24 and 25. There’s not a lot of games in terms of big experience so it’s bound to take a bit of time.
“It’s something that will develop on the training field over the coming months. I’m pleased with how the players have settled and my experience tells me they will get better.