Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that his side have looked "a little bit broken" so far this season.
The Reds are currently 11th in the Premier League table having lost three of their first five games.
Merseyside rivals Everton, who themselves have made a slow start to the campaign, travel to Anfield this weekend for a crunch showdown, with Rodgers quick to praise his opposite number Roberto Martinez.
"We have looked a little bit broken," the former Swansea City boss told reporters. "We know we need to be better, and to improve our performance level. That's the key for us.
"[Everton] haven't had results they wanted, but they have quality. It'll be a tough game for us. Everton are a good side. They had a stable base and introduced a few more to that in the summer. Roberto has done an excellent job."
Liverpool follow up Saturday's game with a trip to face Basel in the Champions League.
