Liverpool looking to splurge in January shopping spree

BRENDAN RODGERS reckons another trip to the January sales is key to Liverpool's Champions League hopes.

Phillipe Coutinho is pushing for a place in Liverpool's starting 11 after recovering from a shoulder injury [JOHN POWELL/LIVERPOOL FC VIA GETTY]

Ahead of today's clash with Fulham, the Reds sit third in the Premier League after a solid start to the campaign.

And Rodgers reckons if his side can keep up their current strike rate of two points per game they will be able to bash their way into the top four for the first time in five seasons.

Liverpool came on strong in the second half of last season after Rodgers bought Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho in the New Year for a total of £20m.

Cash is likely to be harder to come by this time around, but Rodgers still believes he can bring in players who can make a difference.

He spent most of the summer chasing a playmaker and was beaten to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Willian by Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea respectively.

A creative midfielder and cover for Luis Suarez and Sturridge is on the Kop club's agenda for the next transfer window.

“I always hope that in each window we can improve the team and if we can do that we can rightly be up there”

Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers said: "I'm still clear in my mind what we need to improve to get to that level.

"I always hope that in each window we can improve the team and if we can do that we can rightly be up there.

"We've enough cover in our squad so the focus is on bringing in players that can come straight in and improve our team. We did that last year and we benefited from that.

"There are players out there but you've got to dig deeper and harder to get them.

''Sometimes they might not be household names but they could have the quality - we just need to find players that can make the difference for us."

Rodgers has switched to a five-man defence using wing-backs in the last few weeks but is adamant that Coutinho, back from a shoulder injury, can fit into his new system.

The Brazilian came off the bench in last week's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal and is pushing hard for a recall to the starting line-up.

Rodgers added: "For me he is a total footballer and he can play in any system.

"You saw at Arsenal that, despite being out for so long, he was at the level of Mesut Ozil in terms of confidence and arrogance."