• Premier League

Rodgers targets Merseyside derby relaunch

Liverpool eventually got the chance to celebrate after 30 penalties in shootout against Middlesbrough © Getty Images

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says his team have the perfect opportunity to relaunch their Premier League season when they face bitter rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

They have started badly with three defeats in their opening five matches and Rodgers bemoaned more defensive mistakes in their marathon penalty-shootout victory against Middlesbrough in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

However, he hopes the momentum gained from his much-changed team's win can be built on when they address the competition he has made their priority this season.

"Now we need to get our Premier League season up and running," the manager said after his side drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough in the League Cup third round before going through 14-13 on penalties.

"We are delighted to get through after being in the lead and giving away poor goals. At the moment we are making too many mistakes, but I can't fault their character and the mentality of the players because they kept going and in the period of extra time, we were very good.

"We had to step up to get through to the next round on penalties and I've got to say both teams showed great composure. Congratulations to Middlesbrough, I thought they were excellent.

"We are in the hat for the next round and that is all that matters. We want to do as well as we can in every competition and there are a lot of satisfied players in my dressing room."

Rodgers reserved special praise for teenage debutant Jordan Rossiter, on a night when a host of fresh faces were given a chance to prove their worth in a much-changed Liverpool line-up.

"I thought Rossiter was excellent, he showed real good composure and his temperament was good," Rodgers said. "He followed up the finish really well, showed good technique and power to put it in the corner.

"Jordan Williams came on and showed great stature on the field and I also have to give credit to young Suso. He has not had many chances, but he was bright and scored a good goal. He also showed good composure in the penalties."

Rickie Lambert captained the Liverpool at Anfield and while he is still awaiting his first goal for the club he joined from Southampton in June, Rodgers is satisfied with the contribution the England striker is making to his team.

"Rickie has done well coming off the bench for us," Rodgers said. "He was aware that was going to be a prominent role for him this season, but he is also able to start in games. He has great quality and his finishing is good.

"We didn't quite give him the service he thrives on and it was obviously a great honour for him to captain the team being a local Liverpool lad."

Jordan Rossiter scored on his Liverpool debut © Getty Images

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