Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that the "relationship" between the summer signings and the team is getting stronger.

The Reds have struggled to match their blistering form of last season, which resulted in them finishing second in the Premier League table, just two points behind champions Manchester City.

Rodgers brought in nine new recruits in the summer transfer window, including Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert, while prolific striker Luis Suarez was sold to Barcelona for a reported £75m fee.

"The players that are available are working very, very hard and we're still learning about each other," Rodgers said in this afternoon's press conference. "I think that sometimes goes amiss - you get new players in and with not as much preparation time, you're learning about them in games.

"I can see each day the relationship growing within the players and the connection. Whenever your players are out it makes it that bit more difficult, but you need to find the solutions in different ways. That's what we've been trying to do and gradually as each day goes by, I sense and feel we are getting better."

Liverpool will take on Newcastle United away at St James' Park on Saturday.