BR: We can be better after two-week break
Brendan Rodgers hailed the mentality of his Liverpool players after their 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, but simultaneously targeted further improvements following the international break this week.
The Reds had endured a three-game winless streak in the Barclays Premier League before Saturday and entered the afternoon contest on the back of a disappointing Champions League defeat by FC Basel in midweek.
A positive outcome was therefore paramount against the Baggies at Anfield, and it was achieved through Adam Lallana's first goal since arriving in the summer and a second-half winner from a swing of Jordan Henderson's right boot.
Post-match, the boss declared the result 'massive', pointing to the character of the team to recover from the visitors' equaliser, scored from the penalty spot by Saido Berahino after a foul that appeared to have occurred outside the area.
At the same time, though, Rodgers was considering the next step of progress and the opportunity to select from a bolstered squad once the upcoming international fixtures have concluded and domestic duties start again.
"It was a massive win for us, on the back of a difficult week and result in midweek, and not being at our best over previous weeks," the Northern Irishman told Liverpoolfc.com.
"We were playing against a team that were high in confidence coming here, that defends really well and keeps clean sheets. So it was a big win for us. Now, after the international break, hopefully we'll have a fully fit squad back.
"The key was to come off the back of a disappointing performance and result. The performance wasn't anywhere near where I would want it to be.
"But while you're searching for that, it's important to get the win and we did that. I'm delighted that we got the win - it moves us right up the table. We can now go into the international break and get ready for our next game."
Glen Johnson was introduced in the second period at the weekend to complete his comeback from injury, but the manager was still unable to call on Joe Allen, Emre Can, Jon Flanagan, Mamadou Sakho or Daniel Sturridge.
The timing of the latest pause in Premier League action is therefore a welcome one for Rodgers, who is hoping to soon have the depth of options to choose from that produced the kind of incisive display which saw off Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in August.
Continuing his assessment, the boss said: "I go back to the Tottenham game as probably the game when I had what I would consider to be the squad.
"In that game, we showed our potential - we could play in a certain way, I could make changes and still keep the efficiency of the team.
"We haven't been able to do that and obviously we've had games coming thick and fast. It has been difficult. But it has allowed me to play other players and look at other players.
"What we've done in the last 18 months shows the level of mentality the players have. They have got a real winning mentality. Their behaviours are very honest and committed - and that's what always gives me great hope here as the manager.
"I know that once they start to click, and the new players adjust to being a Liverpool player and the players that were here find a way and philosophy to work with them, we're going to be a very good team again.
"And once the injured players return to the group, it puts us back in a good moment."