Liverpool first-team coach Steve Clarke believes that the club's inconsistent start to the new season is down to the changes in personnel over the summer.

Manager Kenny Dalglish brought a number of new players to the club, including Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson.

The Reds have won five of their eight opening matches, a fact which has left Clarke to remain cautious on his verdict so far.

"Without getting too carried away or too disappointed it's probably just an average start," he told the club's official website.

"You're probably looking at about a seven out of 10. Some pleasing performances and some not so pleasing, but you'd expect that from a group of players where you've made so many changes and you're trying to bed a few things down."

Clarke was appointed to Dalglish's coaching staff in January.