Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists his players do not lack the mental toughness to win big games. After Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Rodgers accepted his side had been tentative in a woeful first-half performance, but improved after the break.
"Aggression isn't about having a 6ft 3ins player in the middle of the field who is going to drive you forward, aggression is in the mind," said Rodgers.
"We have Steven Gerrard, who is one of the best examples of that in this country over the last 10 years.
"We have that aggression but it is not about what size you are, it is about the fight which is in there.
"In the second half the ability to fight was much better and we were much more aggressive in our play and attitude and we should have got something."
Also, the fact remains Rodgers' side have yet to beat any team currently in the top 10 in the league this season.
"It is not a problem. We should have beaten Manchester City earlier this season, we should have beaten Everton away and we haven't," he said.
"We have been close in a number of the games against the guys at the top end of the league but that is the next step for us.
"To win those games can set your journey off in a totally different direction.
"It is not something which is mental but it is something we need to do if we are going to progress.
"We have great hope in the future, because of how we are working, that will happen here.
"It will be a long journey for us but it is about closing the gap in the squad, getting those wins against our rivals and then we can gain confidence from that.
"I feel we are a match for any of the teams in this league but what allows you to close the gap in terms of the points is having a squad which allows you to compete.
"For us the squad has been very thin in these opening months."
