Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling insists his side should not look for excuses after they lost their third game of this fledgling Premier League campaign at West Ham on Saturday.
Life after Luis Suarez has proved to be uncomfortable for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and last year's second-place Prem finishing squad. The Hammers followed Manchester City and Aston Villa by inflicting a defeat on the Reds at Upton Park on Saturday.
Some observers have suggested that Liverpool's struggle to adapt to life back in the Champions League is one of the reasons why they have failed to hit top form so far, but their teenage winger Sterling has claimed such explanations are not valid.
"We should be winning with the players we have. We definitely have the quality to make the top four," Sterling told reporters. "I wouldn't say it [Champions League] is a factor this season. It's more than we're used to and the games are coming thick and fast, but that's what we want. To be competing at the top end of the Premier League and in the Champions League. It's down to us to get things right and get back to winning games.
"What it means now is that after the second recovery day after a game we're straight back into another game. They come really quick now and that's something we need to get used to. We can't use that as an excuse because there are other teams in the Premier League doing exactly the same as us who are winning games.
"It will definitely be a test of character but I think there is a lot of character in this group."
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Sterling hopes Liverpool can bounce back to form quickly as they prepare for a Capital One Cup tie against Middlesbrough on Tuesday, as he suggests the imminent return of striker Daniel Sturridge will lift their hopes.
"We've got Dan to come back and give us more goals. That should add another dimension," he added, "I thought we began the game slowly and we were really sloppy. It's concerning but we have to put it behind us, get back on the training field and go again.
"Our focus has to turn to the next game on Tuesday and we need to get back to winning ways. We need to bounce back."