Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers spoke on Friday (28th August) ahead of his side's English Premier League clash against West Ham United on Saturday (29th August).

Script: SOUNDBITE (English) Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool manager:

"I think it was important for us to make a good start. That was clear after how everything ended last season. So a lot of hard work went into pre-season and the aim was to start the season strongly. So whilst we're finding that fluidity and rhythm to our game it was always going to be important that we could get results."

SOUNDBITE (English) Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool manager:

"I think the players have come in and the hunger has returned back into the team - I think that's clear. I think if you see the games that we've played - that freshness. That ability to play with no fear. It was a difficult period for us at the end of last season but that's no been wiped clean - we've learnt the lesson from that. We've got new players in with a new motivation, new ambitions and they're really enjoying the work and being here. So I think that stability within the group is good and there is real hunger in the team to do well and that's something that's been very clear over the course of pre-season and in these opening games."

SOUNDBITE (English) Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool manager (on striker Daniel Sturridge return to full fitness):

"There's no timeline on Daniel. He has obviously been away working in America. He has come back and it's just about him working hard now to get somewhere near the level of the group. There's no time on it. He came back and looks well - he's really excited and happy to be back among his teammates. We'll just have to take that week on week, rather than put any sort of pressure on a time for him."