Rodgers: Let's tighten up
Brendan Rodgers is eager for Liverpool to up their defensive solidarity ahead of the visit of Norwich City to Anfield, admitting: 'We can do better'.
The boss was left disappointed by the two goals the Reds conceded in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend and revealed work has been ongoing at Melwood this week to ensure his side are meaner at the back.
"They were two poor goals we gave away last week," said Rodgers.
"For the first one we could have done better. The ball went wide and the cross came in too easily.
"You have to give Van Persie credit for his movement in the box to gain that couple of yards, but we can be better.
"We can be tighter and more co-ordinated at times, especially when we are under pressure. That's something we've been looking at this week. In some of the games we've looked solid and strong as a team but there have been other occasions where we've defended on our own rather than as a unit. You can't do that.
"It's something that's happened over the course of the season. We haven't really had a consistent back four.
"Daniel Agger has been ever present and has been terrific, while Glen Johnson has been outstanding but has had to flit from left-back to right-back due to injuries. Andre Wisdom has played and done very well in a new position for him.
"We were far too tentative in that opening period last week. Once we sorted that out at half-time we were much more aggressive in our play second half."
One particular aspect Rodgers and Liverpool's backroom team have been working on is on-the-pitch communication.
The manager added: "There are some terrific characters and some wonderful players in it but you can't be too kind. Kindness can kill you.
"Sometimes you have to be able to not play well and still win. This season we've either been outstanding and won or been disappointing and drawn or lost.
"There are key moments in games where you have to show those qualities to organise. That's very important if you are going to succeed.
"It's about personalities and you can't make people what they're not. At the moment we work with the players we've got."
Meanwhile, Rodgers confirmed work remains ongoing as Liverpool look to bolster the ranks ahead of the close of the January transfer window.
Since the turn of the year, Daniel Sturridge has arrived at Anfield while Joe Cole and Nuri Sahin have departed.
"The squad is smaller now than it was at the start of January so there's no doubt we need to improve the group," said Rodgers.
"We're just trying to ensure the right players come in who are going to make us better. There's a lot of work going on with our scouting department.
"We knew this period of the window wasn't going to be so active anyway. It will go down to the last week and we will see what we can do in that period."