Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has called on his players to rise to the challenge of defeating unbeaten Chelsea in their Premier League clash at Anfield.

The Reds have struggled to match their performance of last season in the top flight as they have taken just 14 points from their opening 10 matches.

However, Rodgers's side put in a strong performance in their 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, despite resting several key players, and the manager feels that a positive result against the Blues could jolt his side's campaign into gear.

He told reporters: "This is a new challenge and it will be a tough game. Chelsea were obviously strong last year and they have big experience in their squad and know the league and that helps them massively.

"Add to that the players who have come in, Diego Costa, one of Europe's top strikers, Cesc Fabregas, who knows the league and is a real creative force and add Eden Hazard to that who is one of the best young players in the world.

"This offers us a great chance at home to get a great result and then hopefully that can kick-start the season for us. We've had injuries and in patches we have shown the level of our game is okay but it is not consistent enough and we haven't scored as many goals as last season."

The Reds face Jose Mourinho's side later today.