Rodgers wants his old guard to step up

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is looking to his established players to take up some of the slack while his summer signings bed in properly.

The Reds have had a mixed start to the Premier League season with two wins and two defeats in their opening four matches as they try to integrate a number of new arrivals.

Rodgers expects his side to consistently find their peak performance level in the second half of the campaign, as they did last season when a brilliant run of results saw them finish runners-up to Man City.

But while that bedding-in process continues, Rodgers will look to the players who have worked under him for a while to compensate in some way, highlighted by him giving Jordan Henderson more responsibility by making him vice-captain this week.

“I think they naturally do that, I think that is part of the process here,” Rodgers said of the way his senior players spread the load. We are about the team and we will attack and defend, win and lose as a team, but with the new players coming in it does take a bit of time – but it is not an excuse.”

A year ago Liverpool had 10 points from four matches, compared to six this season, but that does not concern Rodgers. Defensively there have been lapses while half of their six goals came in a 3-0 win at Tottenham but the Irishman is looking at a longer-term aim.

“There’s no magic formula, it’s just constant work on the training field,” added Rodgers, ahead of the trip to West Ham.

“I remember this time last year, we were sat in press conferences and the questions I was getting asked were about whether we were going to be able to score goals. We ended up with 101 goals.

“It’s just time and patience with players. The way we were playing in March, April and May last season we weren’t playing that way last September. It’ll be the same this year.”

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce could yet hand full debuts to Carl Jenkinson, Alex Song and Morgan Amalfitano, after the trio all came off the bench in Monday night’s 2-2 draw at Hull. “We got a decent result on Monday against Hull having come back from goals down twice. We’re in a good frame of mind, the players always look forward to the big games,” said Allardyce.

The Hammers boss admitted he’s glad Luis Suarez has left Liverpool.

“From a selfish point of view, yes. I’m glad we don’t have to face him. But for the sake of the Barclays Premier League it is a shame, he’s a fantastic player. Thankfully a lot of quality was brought into the league this summer. Liverpool bought well with the fee they got for Suarez. He’s truly missed in terms of his talent, but we’re rather glad he’s not playing us this weekend.”