Rodgers: Youngsters will adapt quickly

The Reds suffered a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City on Monday evening, despite dominating the game for long periods at the Etihad Stadium.

Stevan Jovetic opened the scoring just before the break before putting the finishing touch on a well-worked move in the second half. Sergio Aguero then came off the bench to further the hosts' advantage and render Pablo Zabaleta's late own goal a mere consolation.

Reflecting on the contest, Rodgers told his post-match press conference: "Up until they scored, we were arguably the better side. We looked a threat going forward, we had good possession of the ball and tactically we were very good, but we switched off just before half-time and Jovetic finished it very well.

"We started the second half reasonably brightly, but we gave away two poor goals, really. They worked the ball well for the second one, but for the third one you've got to get tighter - you've got to get up to the ball and stop the winger turning.

"In fairness to the players, it's still very early on in the season and we're still looking for our fitness and to get up to our level, but they kept going.

"We got it to 3-1 and maybe could have got to 3-2, but then Glen Johnson went off and it killed our momentum a little bit. 11 versus 10 in the last few minutes was difficult for us because they've got the quality and experience to keep the ball.

"We didn't play so well in the second half tonight, but it's not going to hurt us - we'll just re-focus and look to the weekend now."

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Liverpool handed Alberto Moreno a debut, with the 22-year-old Spaniard beginning the game at left-back following his transfer from Sevilla last week.

Meanwhile, Lazar Markovic came off the bench to make his Reds bow in the second half.

"For the younger players we've brought in, there is a period of adaptation for them coming in," continued Rodgers. "We've still got the core of our squad from last season - and the players that have come in will have the opportunity to develop and adapt.

"Of course, if you come in from a different country and culture, it will take that little bit of time.

"Young Alberto Moreno tonight showed flashes of his quality. He'll learn. He wasn't the finished article when we brought him in, we knew there were certain areas we needed to work on, but that's something our eyes are wide open to.

"Lazar came on and showed his pace and quality. It's very early for this squad - we've had to make changes to improve the depth, but as the season goes on we'll become better and better."

Moreno and Markovic are two of nine players Liverpool have acquired this summer, with the ranks further bolstered by the capture of Mario Balotelli on Monday afternoon.

Rodgers firmly feels the new arrivals will soon begin to show what they're capable of as they adapt to their new surroundings.

He said: "If you buy players, it doesn't guarantee you anything. For us, we needed the depth in the squad and I've got every confidence the players will improve. The young players that have come in, they're adapting to the league.

"I'm very confident in the work and the players we've brought in that we're going to get better."