Rodgers: Intensity is starting to return

The boss highlighted the positive aspects of their dominant display in Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton and felt he witnessed enough to suggest they'll soon be reaching the top of their game once again, even though they were forced to settle for just a point after a 1-1 draw.

Speaking in Switzerland ahead of the Reds' Champions League clash with FC Basel, Rodgers told journalists: "Of course, we haven't made as good a start as we would have wanted, but I think there are a number of factors why.

"We've integrated a lot of new players - young players - that are adapting to a new country, new culture and a new pressure in playing for such a big club.

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"And, of course, we've had injuries to very important players - players that have been core to our development over the last 18 months.

"What's good about Liverpool is we have the big vision. We have the idea of where we are going. It's been a difficult start to the season, but our performance at the weekend was a little bit more like how we've played and the intensity is starting to return in our game. That's because relationships with players are starting to become better on the training field and settle in.

"Like in my previous time at Liverpool, as the season goes on, the team becomes better and better - and I'm sure that'll be the case this season as well."

After touching down in Switzerland on Tuesday afternoon, Rodgers' thoughts are firmly focused on Liverpool's return to continental action.

The Reds go into the game having won their opening match in Group B against Ludogorets a fortnight ago, though they'll face a team who boast an excellent record against English opposition.

In the last three years, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham have all recorded defeats against Basel - and Rodgers is fully aware they'll pose a huge test to his team at St. Jakob-Park.

"It's a football club that I believe has won eight out of the last 11 titles here [in Switzerland], so they're very much a team that are the force of Swiss football," he explained.

"You look at the young players that always come through the systems here in Switzerland, they're technically gifted and they've done well over the years at youth level. It's a country that produces very, very good players.

"This is a club that are used to winning. In their domestic league they are a big team - they play like a big team and play good football. They're used to winning games, so when they come into this tournament they have that freedom to go and play.

"I watched them last year and they were very unfortunate not to qualify into the next stages [of the Champions League]. They've got some excellent players and Paulo [Sousa] is a manager who I don't know very well, but know him from his stint in England and from when he managed at Swansea and I came in after him.

"He's an excellent manager and they have some very, very talented players - the games last season showcased that, like the Chelsea games home and away, which they won, so we know it'll be tough."

With Liverpool set to resume their love affair with the European Cup for the latest round of matches, one reporter was eager to know whether Rodgers has ever allowed himself to dream of what could be achieved in the Champions League.

The manager responded: "No, never. It's a wonderful tournament and we've all watched it over the years - none more so than Liverpool in Istanbul, which was an incredible evening.

"For us, domestically we've had a big job to do in the last couple of years and we'll continue to focus on that.

"Our work in the last couple of years has brought us into the Champions League, which is the tournament for the leading clubs in European football.

"We're glad to be in it, we've got off to a good start in the group stage and we go into our game tomorrow night knowing it'll be tough.

"The focus is very much on the next game and as a coach I can never get too carried away. It's nice to dream, but I need to focus on the next game."