Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling is insisting that the Champions League is not to blame following their defeat to West Ham United at the weekend.
The Merseyside club are back in the Champions League after five years without it and they got off to a winning start against Ludogorets in the week, but their defeat to West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday has seen Brendan Rodgers side hit a worrying spell of form.
“We can’t use playing in the Champions League as an excuse because there are other teams in the Premier League doing exactly the same as us who are winning games,” Sterling told the Liverpool Echo.
“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.
“What it means now is that after the second recovery day after a game we’re straight back into another game. That’s the way it’s going to be this season and that’s something we need to get used to.
Sterling also commented that Daniel Sturridge has been a massive miss and that his pending return against Everton is a delight.
“Daniel is a massive miss for us with his goals and the way he plays in behind defenders,” added Sterling. “Him coming back should add another dimension to the team.”