Rodgers: We’ll beat top teams

Last season, the Irishman’s first at Anfield, they won just once in 12 games against Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton. There has been a little progress this campaign against top-six clubs, with a win at home to United, a draw at Everton and defeat at Arsenal.

The second-placed Reds head to Tottenham tomorrow knowing their credentials will be tested as they were when they went to the Emirates riding high and slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat.

Just to make things more difficult, Liverpool’s last away victory came against rock-bottom Sunderland on September 29, in sharp contrast to their home form which has seen them score 20 goals in five successive Anfield wins.

Rodgers insists they can turn around their form against their rivals.

“They are difficult games. Of course we love playing at Anfield where we have our supporters behind us,” said the Reds boss, who has already won more matches at home this season than in the whole of the previous campaign.

“When you go away from home you are going to be up against it but our approach is the same.

“You are asked different questions away from home and we just need to cut out the mistakes we make because it hasn’t been teams who have opened us up, we have conceded disappointing goals or own goals.

“If we can cut that out then we know we have enough ammunition to get goals.”

If they are to start competing, Liverpool will need to tighten up at the back having conceded in 10 of their last 11 league matches.

“We have made mistakes defensively. We own up to that. That has cost us goals, some of them cheap goals,” added Rodgers.

“It is swings and roundabouts because we won the first three games 1-0 and people talked about our lack of goals — which I don’t think is something you can level at this team.

“Now we are scoring it is the clean sheets. In these types of games where it is tight you have to make sure you don’t make mistakes.”

Any progress they can make over the next month must be achieved without captain Steven Gerrard, whose hamstring injury sustained last weekend in the 4-1 win over West Ham could sideline him for up to six weeks.

With striker Daniel Sturridge out until next month with a sprained ankle it places even more responsibility on the shoulders of Luis Suarez, the Premier League’s leading scorer with 15.

But Rodgers is looking for other players to compensate with improved performances.

“It is an opportunity for others to step up to the plate. The focus is on the overall squad and over the course of the next three weeks that won’t be called into question. “Luis is in great form at the moment, his quality and energy and robustness is where he comes into his own. We have enough talent in the squad means we can restructure the team a little bit but we have enough quality.”

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas will assess defender Danny Rose and midfielder Christian Eriksen over the weekend before choosing his team

Etienne Capoue could feature at centre-half again as Spurs have a glut of injuries in defence.

The switch has proved to be a resounding success, with Capoue putting in top performances against Sunderland and Anzhi Makhachkala. Such is Capoue’s confidence that facing the hottest striker in the Premier League, Suarez, does not faze him one bit.

“He is a very good player, an amazing player. It’s a good opportunity for me to show my mettle,” the 25-year-old said.