Rodgers Wants Reinforcements in January to Help Secure European Football

Brendan Rodgers wants his players to get back to winning ways and is targeting an impressive run up until Christmas when he can once again reinforce his squad with some new signings.

Liverpool suffered their second successive 1-0 defeat of the season to Manchester United on Wednesday night. Having been eliminated from the Capital One Cup, and with no European competition this season, they must now concentrate on their league form.

The Reds had made an impressive start to the season, winning their opening three league games but they have since drawn to Swansea and suffered a shock home loss to Southampton.

Having watched his side play well but ultimately lose to Manchester United, Rodgers is keen for his players to get back to winning ways before the January transfer window opens and he can bring in reinforcements.

"The players have made an excellent start. We were disappointed at the weekend, we were a bit flat and subdued, and just couldn't really get going," Rodgers told the official Liverpool website. "Part of that was because of the players we have available, but I know that the players I have give absolutely everything.

"Now we can only concentrate on the league through to Christmas. We have to make sure we stay up in the top six in the league and keep fighting. Hopefully we can reinforce again in January."

Liverpool can once again call on their talisman Luis Suarez who returned to action against United and looked sharp as he created a number of chances and was unlucky not to score when his free-kick hit the top of the crossbar.

The Uruguay international is still short of match fitness having missed the start of the season due to his ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic but Rodgers was delighted with his performance.

"I thought he was excellent," added Rodgers. "When you consider he's been out for such a long time, he ran himself into the ground and he was always a threat. He put defenders on the back foot and had a couple of twists and turns that looked like he was going to get in.

"As he goes on, he'll get a wee bit sharper. Overall, he can be really pleased. I was really happy for him because his contribution was brilliant."