Brendan Rodgers has claimed that complacency was to blame for Liverpool’s 3-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, but also believes that his side needs to be strengthened in January’s transfer window if they are to finish in the Champions League places.

Earlier in the week, Rodgers suggested his Liverpool team having the potential of finishing in the top two, but speaking after Saturday’s loss, the Liverpool boss took a slightly more down to earth approach.

“That was probably as disappointing as we’ve been here but I couldn’t put my finger on it,” he told reporters.

“It is a strange thing football. We were talked up all week about us being top-four material but we know within the group we still have a long way to go.

“There is going to be steady progress and there are going to be steps forward, like in the last few weeks, and a step backward like yesterday.

“We looked at the first six months to assess: we know we need some support and hopefully we can get that in.

“We understand the process as well but the most important thing is to learn from it (the defeat).”

Liverpool were the dominant side in the opening half an hour of the game, but were the victims of some effective counterattacking as they fell three goals behind before the hour mark, with Steven Gerrard grabbing a consolation goal minutes from time.

Rodgers hinted that his side may have been a bit too easy-going during the defeat, but they should not dwell and instead look on to next week’s fixture against Fulham.

Rodgers continued: “The thing we’ve learned from yesterday is that you can’t ever be complacent.

“You have to be at full tilt every week. If we do that we have a great chance of getting the points but if we don’t you can get punished.

“The challenge for us now is to have a good week’s training and come back next Saturday and hopefully get three points and get on the upward curve again.”