Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admits the reality of losing Luis Suarez to Barcelona over the summer is now sinking in.
Rodgers has admitted the significant transition that went on at Anfield during the summer - and the process of bedding in new players - means they are vulnerable.
"It's hard for the supporters and I understand that," said Rodgers.
"It must be so difficult to see a team that for 18 months has been so fluent and dynamic. Now they probably look and see a team with maybe no resemblance to that in many ways.
"I understand that and there is no-one more frustrated. We look at our game, which is based a lot on possession, but we're also a big threat in transition when we've won the ball back and we're on the break. We don't look a threat at the moment.
"I think the pain is for now. We lost a top-class player (Luis Suarez) and then had to bring in other players to help us now and for the future. Once these players settle in and adapt, and really understand how we work, we'll move back to where we were.
"There will be frustration now, absolutely. No-one respects that more than me. We have to work hard to get them settled and bedded in. These are players we believe will be outstanding but sometimes it takes a wee bit of time."
