Evans applauds BR's early business

Rodgers strengthened his squad with eight new signings before the window closed at the beginning of September, and the Reds have kicked off the new campaign with four victories in four matches.

Former Anfield boss Evans has been encouraged by the team's opening to the season and echoed opinions from elsewhere that, despite his nerves, he would happily take a year of 1-0 triumphs.

"I've been really pleased with the start compared to last year - that was a bit of a nightmare start," he told Liverpoolfc.com.

"It's amazing how confidence can grow when you get those wins. I wouldn't say that they have been perfect performances, but if you get nine points in the Premier League and go into the next round of the League Cup that's great.

"We have sort of played for 45 minutes in most of the games and then in the other 45 minutes we have sat back and defended. It's not good for anybody's nerves - the fans' nerves or my nerves - but you get those wins and the confidence grows in the squad, plus Brendan has added to that since.

"That's why you should be ahead of the game. The transfer windows and different things now make it difficult for a manager.

"But I still think if you get to March or April, you've then got to start thinking about which players you want to buy and move, because some you're not going to get and some you are.

"It's really important to do most of your business early, and then if you can catch up with one or two late on - a bit like Brendan has done this time. Brendan, to be fair, has done his business that way.

"The squad now looks as if it has got a little bit of body to it and Luis Suarez to come back. I think things are looking really good and on the up - so far, so good.

"I'd like to see them win games by two or three goals and finish them off early rather than sit back and see what happens.

"But it has been successful so far and if we went through the season winning 1-0, a bit like Arsenal did at one stage and won the league, we would be very happy."

Liverpool entered the international break as the only team in the Barclays Premier League with a 100 per cent record, sitting top of the table without conceding a goal.

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Evans argued that the Reds should never rule out the possibility of challenging for the championship but accepted that a return to the top four would be a welcome result this season.

He added: "Any progress going forward is what we're after as a manager, the players and the fans.

"You've got to try to think about the Champions League - these days that is the be all and end all in the Premier League. You've got to believe that you can do that.

"But deep down, as a manager and players, you've got to believe that you can win it even if you don't want to say that to the press or the world. Inside, you've got to believe that if you play to your very best.

"Look at Manchester United, they didn't look anything ultra-special; Liverpool were just as good as them in the first half, they had a bit more of the second half. So maybe you can win it.

"But everybody would settle for a top-four finish, that would be great."