Rodgers: We'll pick that form up again
Brendan Rodgers is confident that the international break won't deter the momentum that carried Liverpool to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last time out.
His Reds were in irresistible form as they put Spurs to the sword at White Hart Lane 13 days ago, but immediately afterwards, much of the first-team squad jetted off around the globe to represent their respective countries.
The players returned to Melwood earlier this week ahead of this evening's contest with Aston Villa - and Rodgers believes they're ready to match the levels they set in north London once again.
The boss told Liverpoolfc.com: "We'll just look to prepare as we normally do and really focus in on the game.
"The players are now back from international duty, so we'll just tap back into the last performance, focus on the positives from it and look to take them into the Aston Villa game.
"They will be a big threat to us. Since I came in, we've won the away games [against Villa], but the two home games have been difficult for us.
"They're a young, energetic team, have got good players and have made a good, positive start, which they'll look to continue with.
"For us, we've got to really focus in on our strengths and look to hopefully get the three points."
Liverpool's victory over Tottenham was achieved with a starting XI with an average age of 24.
Rodgers feels the Reds' young contingent will gain invaluable experience from playing their part in such outstanding displays.
"We've got a young, hungry group surrounded by really top, experienced players," he said. "The level the team played at against Tottenham was very high, and the organisation and concentration in the game was very good. All of these players will improve with that experience.
"I was delighted with the overall performance of the team. I think the two young full-backs [Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo] coming into this country showed great composure at a notoriously tough away ground, the likes of Mario [Balotelli] making his first appearance was excellent, and the team as a whole functioned very well."
Only when Liverpool's contest with Villa is done and dusted will thoughts turn to Tuesday's return to Champions League action after five years out of the competition.
Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad will be the Reds' first opponents in the tournament, and Rodgers is eager to go into the game on the back of a positive result.
He explained: "It's really exciting, but it is another game. It's against an opponent we will know, but maybe don't know as well as the teams here at home.
"We respect every game we play in every competition. They are Bulgarian champions, so they'll come to Anfield looking forward to the game.
"But we'll focus on Aston Villa, look to get three points there and then take that momentum and positivity into our first Champions League game for five years."
The Villa showdown signals the start of five games in 14 days for Liverpool.
Rodgers feels the Reds will now start to fully reap the benefits of a good summer's work in the transfer market as they're able to utilise a bigger squad.
"We had a great window in terms of the quality of players we brought in," said the manager. "We'll hopefully see that over the course of the season.
"We've got some really talented players that are hungry to do well and that was going to be critical for us - if we are to succeed this season, we needed a strong squad. I believe we have a very good squad."