Brendan Rodgers: Liverpool turnaround just a matter of time

Liverpool are training hard and it is just a matter of time before they get the results that will put their Premier League campaign back on track, manager Brendan Rodgers has said.

The Reds have derailed from their promising start to the season, having failed to win their last four matches in the Premier League.

They last won 1-0 against promoted side Bournemouth on August 17th and are 13th in the table with eight points from six league games.

Liverpool drew with Bordeaux in Thursday’s Europa League match and were held 1-1 at Anfield on Sunday by a promoted Norwich City.

The Merseyside club have scored only four times this season, the second lowest in the league, and their slump in form has coincided with the loss of captain Jordan Henderson, who faces up to two months on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his foot during a training session.

Rodgers was confident that the team would soon return to winnings ways.

“Hard work pays and it’s just going to be a matter of time until they can get the results to be rewarded by that. I think (confidence) will grow with results,” the 42-year-old told the club’s website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

“We just have to build that confidence through our training, through the games, and it’s just step-by-step, getting to the next game and hopefully a good performance and keep getting results.

“It’s certainly something that we’re embracing and the players, I’m sure, if they continue to work as they have been on a daily basis, they’ll get their rewards,” the former Swansea City manager added.

Liverpool, who face Carlisle in the League Cup on Thursday, will be eyeing three points when they host 17th placed Aston Villa two days later.

Meanwhile Manchester City's record signing Kevin De Bruyne believes his versatility will prove crucial for the side this season and is confident Saturday's 2-1 defeat to West Ham was just a blip.

The surprise defeat for the Premier League leaders ended their 100 percent record and allowed city rivals United to cut their advantage to two points.

West Ham became the first team to score a league goal versus City this term when Victor Moses struck after six minutes and they doubled their lead through Diafra Sakho before De Bruyne pulled a goal back.

The Belgian said he was still finding his feet and that he could only improve as a player surrounded by a stellar cast at City.

“I can only get better if I play with great players. This team has a lot of great players,” De Bruyne was quoted as saying by the British media. “I think when I know the team a bit better I will get even more of the ball

“I am adapting well to the team. It is just the beginning so I don’t feel any pressure. I just try to play my game”.

De Bruyne, who was mainly used in the number 10 role for his former club VfL Wolfsburg, said he was confident his ability to play across the forward line would add a different dimension to City’s fearsome attack.

“I can play the three positions. Obviously, even if I am on the number 10 I change position so much,” he added. “I think you need to do that if you play against teams like West Ham who are defending with nine men.”