Phil Thompson has insisted that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers needs time to deliver success at the club this season.

The 42-year-old has come under pressure following his side's underwhelming 2014-15 campaign when they failed to qualify for the Champions League and did not win a trophy.

Rodgers survived a meeting with the club's owners in the summer and was allowed to spend further funds on Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino, although he has come under scrutiny following their defeat to Manchester United and their mediocre start to the campaign.

Thompson told Sky Sports News: "I believe he deserves more time. You can't let the man spend all that money and bring all those players in and then five, six or seven games in he has to move on.

"That decision can only be determined on results and he has to turn round the flow. I believe he should be given the opportunity to see it through, but the bells will be ringing by Christmas time if fortunes have not turned round.

"I don't need to tell Brendan that, he will understand that, but results have to pick up. We've got Everton coming up in two weeks' time and that will be a massive game. That is going to need far more application and attitude from the players than what they showed at Old Trafford."

Liverpool face Norwich City at Anfield on Sunday.