LIVERPOOL -- Centre-back Dejan Lovren insists that Liverpool's defending will improve once their new arrivals settle in.
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Lovren, 25 was bought from Southampton for 20 million pounds in July -- one of three defenders signed by manager Brendan Rodgers during the summer, along with full-backs Javi Manquillo and Alberto Moreno.
The trio have started all four of Liverpool's Premier League matches so far this season, but the new-look back line has conceded five goals and managed just one clean sheet so far.
Rodgers publicly stated that he was unhappy with the defending that allowed Gabriel Agbonlahor to score as Aston Villa won 1-0 at Anfield on Saturday and as Liverpool prepare to begin their first Champions League campaign in five seasons against Bulgarian title holders Ludogorets on Tuesday, Lovren has acknowledged a need to tighten up.
"It's the start of the season, and we've had tough games," Lovren said. "Of course, we need to improve in every game, to be better defensively as a team. "But I'm not worried about this. I'm really confident in our team.
"We are practically a new team with a lot of new players, but everything will settle down in the next few games.
"It was a little bit painful in the last home game against Aston Villa to lose 1-0. We didn't expect it. But it happens. That's football.
"So we need to continue now, to keep our heads up, concentrate on the Champions League and move on. We have a lot of games, so we need to forget this."
Lovren enjoyed two Champions League campaigns during his time in France with Lyon, having also played in the qualifying rounds of the competition for his first club Dinamo Zagreb.
With plenty of Europa League experience under his belt too, the Croatia international is used to the demands of combining domestic and European club football -- and he feels that will come in handy.
He said: "For sure, it will help me. I wouldn't say I am used to it, but I played 20 or 21 games in the Champions League, and I know what can happen in the competition.
"I think it's something different from the Premier League. I haven't played in the competition for the last two-and-a-half years, but I think I'm ready, and I can't wait to start.
"The thing is that we will play more games. But I think that's good for me and for the team. As you play the games, you get better and better. I'm not worried. The problem is when we have injured players.
"But for now, I think we are ready. We don't need to think about tomorrow being the Champions League. We need to move on step by step. It's a game, like any other game, and we need to try to take the points.
"It will not be as easy as when you only have one game a week. But it depends on the player. I'm fit and ready, for what will be a long season. We know it's a big competition.
"Of course, it's not the same thing to play for Lyon in the Champions League as it is for Liverpool. I know Liverpool are a bigger club. We need to be focused and calm, and to make sure we play our game."