Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes his team can be a "real force" if they address their defensive problems, with the Northern Irishman's sights still firmly set on a top-four Premier League finish.
Top four
Liverpool are undergoing a transformation with Rodgers - appointed as successor to Kenny Dalglish over the summer - at the helm as they strive to improve on their disappointing recent run of top-flight finishes that has seen them come seventh, then sixth and last season eighth.
They are currently 14th in the table after six games, but Reds captain Steven Gerrard has been quoted as saying he thinks a top-four place is still a realistic goal for the campaign, and asked if that was something he echoed, Rodgers said: "Yes, absolutely - 100%.
"There is no doubt it is going to be very difficult for us, but that is our fight."
The manager, who was speaking at a press conference to preview Sunday's Premier League home clash with Stoke, added: "We have great quality here, the players are very much unified and there is a wonderful spirit in the group.
"Even though we are frustrated with last night's result, our performance in the league last time out (a 5-2 win at Norwich) was fantastic, so we will look to carry that into the weekend's game.
"There is still a very long season ahead of us, we are starting to get to grips with how we work as a team and I'm sure that will bring us good results."
