Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool’s defensive solidity at the start of the new season is a direct result of hard work and planning over the summer.

The Reds have yet to concede a goal in three games this season as they prepare to welcome West Ham to Anfield on Saturday.
Only an inspired Petr Cech stopped Liverpool from making it three wins from three games at Arsenal on Monday night and Rodgers admits their new-found defensive resolve is a result of hard work.

“We’ve put in extra work and focus on that,” he said. “We are doing extra sessions on every aspect of our defending in terms of in-game static and moving positions and our set-pieces.

“We are putting in an awful lot of work into that organisation; it is one of the things I picked up on from last season.”
At the other end of the field, Liverpool have scored just twice in their three league outings to date.

Rodgers does not believe the extra focus on defending is contributing to a lack of goals.

The Northern Irishman feels the goals will come and says that his attacking ethos is not being forgotten.

“It doesn’t compromise the style at all. I am happy with the evolution of the team this early but there is a lot more to come from it and it bodes well for this season,” he said.

Rodgers also confirmed striker Daniel Sturridge is back training with the first team having spent four months in the USA recovering from a hip operation.

Liverpool are 1.36 to beat West Ham with the Reds 1.85 to keep a fourth straight Premier League clean sheet.