Rodgers: A marked difference from May
Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool's performance in the goalless draw with Swansea was an illustration of the progress that has been made since the Reds were defeated on the same pitch in May.
Liverpool had 21 shots and 50.5 per cent of possession during Sunday's contest and were unfortunate not to leave with three points after Raheem Sterling hit the crossbar and Jose Enrique had a goal disallowed with an offside decision that could have gone the other way.
In May the Reds lost 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium in a game where they tallied just 13 shots and 37.6 per cent of the ball.
"I thought there was a marked difference," said Rodgers. "I was really pleased with the quality of our game today, I thought our build-up play was good and we got through the thirds well.
"I just thought we needed a fraction more belief in the final third. There were opportunities around the box where we could have got a shot off a bit quicker.
"That comes from certain types of player and personnel you have in.
"I thought the method in our game was good, and people who would have seen the game at the end of last season would have seen a difference today, hopefully.
"We were unfortunate with the offside goal that was ruled out. I thought that was a goal having seen the replays of it.
"[But] I'll never say coming here is two points dropped because it's a difficult place to come.
"Our performance level is continually improving. We're just chipping away at climbing up the league, and we'll do that.
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"It's a team that's coming together with a different way of working. I can see improvement all the time."
Rodgers was asked how long it would be before the players out there for Liverpool could be described as 'his' team.
"The guys are working really well, I've got to say they've been absolutely fantastic," he replied. "But we all know you need to get in your own types of player before you can actually say it's your side.
"When I came into Swansea in the first year we had 12 players [come in] over the course of the season, six moved on. In the second season seven came in, nine others went the other way. Until you get that turnover of players, then you can't look at it as your team.
"I'm not so sure it will be in January, to be honest. This year the club wanted to balance the books and see where it was at.
"There was a big investment in the club and obviously a lot of players went out in the summer, and a few came in. We'll look to do some business in January to help and support the players that are here.
"That's where we're at as a football club. The owners trust me to grow it over time. Obviously as a manager you're always looking short-term because you've got to take care of the short-term, but eventually we'll get there."
One area Rodgers was particularly pleased with on Sunday was his defence.
He explained: "Defensively, as a team, our coordination was good. There was short bursts of educated pressure, but theirs is a system that's been up and running for five or six years now.
"Players know their role and function and to defend against that you have to have good organisation. I think we had that as well as being a threat the other way."
Pepe Reina made several good saves to keep Swansea at bay, including a block which resulted in a collision with Nathan Dyer.
"He's got a swollen cheek," added Rodgers. "He was really brave. Two players went in honestly for the ball and he looks in a wee bit of pain, to be honest. But he'll be fine. It just spoils his good looks."